What is infill development and why is it important?

A:

Infill development means building new homes on vacant or underutilized land within existing neighborhoods—building “in” rather than “out.” It’s about making better use of the space we already have. Infill allows us to create more home options near where people work and shop, reducing sprawl into our open lands and providing homes at more attainable prices. Infill development means new homes can plug into—and pay into—existing infrastructure systems, like roads and water lines, instead of needing new infrastructure construction, which helps keep city services affordable for everyone. Infill development also significantly benefits the environment—promoting more connected neighborhoods and shorter commutes, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing vehicle miles traveled.