The Urban Land Institute (ULI) argues that an urban renaissance could be just around the corner. It points to several factors that are drawing people back to more urban living environments, including:
ULI suggests that one of the biggest obstacles (apart from NIMBYism) to building at greater density is the lack of adjacent retail. But most cities already have the retail in place. And, with an estimated 600,000 undeveloped brownfield sites nationwide, and an aging housing stock, the timing is good for infill builders.