¿Cuánto cuesta la densificación? La relación entre la densidad y el costo de proveer servicios urbanos básicos en Brasil, Chile, Ecuador y México

Abstract

The relationship between per capita municipal spending on basic urban services and urban population density is not a linear one. The optimal density level that minimizes spending in urban services is close to 9,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. In Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico, 85% of the municipalities find themselves below the ideal density level. The findings of this article suggest that policies that promote urbanization and densification of intermediate cities can have significant benefits in reducing municipal expenditures.