Chicago’s Center for Neighborhood Technology has released colored maps illustrating the effects of high-density urban settlement patterns on greenhouse-gas emissions, notes the Hyde Park Progress Blog. Surprisingly, the maps show that city living generates fewer CO2 emissions per household than suburban areas with lower household densities. The denser areas of Chicago emit less per household most likely due to lower automobile usage.
The same relation is found in places one might not expect, like Los Angeles, which is becoming increasingly dense overall, and especially in certain areas.
It's useful to keep in mind that this has nothing to do with parks or parklands, and that the 19th century notion of parks -- famously expressed by Olmsted — as the "lungs of the city" here plays no role. Their value in a city is of a different measure, and is important, but does not diminish the importance of urban density as a more highly efficient mode of life.
Check out the CO2 maps at the Hyde Park Progress Blog.
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