Part 2/10:
The idea that density alone drives housing affordability is rooted in a misunderstanding of the pro-density movement. Advocates emphasize that it is not density in isolation that makes housing affordable but rather the abundance of housing options. This abundance can be achieved through various methods, including building upwards and outwards.
The Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) movement champions the development of housing in established areas with existing jobs and infrastructure as opposed to sprawling outward into undeveloped land. However, looking at the sheer volume of housing available in New York and San Francisco, one might wonder how these cities can be deemed unaffordable.