Density is a controversial term. Increased density is feared by those who imagine ugly buildings, overshadowed open space, parking problems, and irresponsible residents. It is promoted by those who value urbane streetscapes, efficient infrastructure supply, walkable neighborhoods, and increased housing options. However, within these debates is a surprising lack of clarity about what counts when considering density, and about how to measure it. This design brief outlines a number of general considerations in measuring density and then proposes twenty measures that quantify different aspects of place such as residential population and dwelling density, and the intensity of building on a site. Some of the measures are easy to use in practice,
