General Suburban Updates and Rumours

[danbrotherston]

Even if the frontyard is completely filled with cars, I assume these homes have back yards, I don't think the suggestion was to have no personal space at all. And I'm not saying that no side yards are ever useful. But the marginal gains of having this space between the homes is...I would agree, very small. Making the homes bigger, if nothing else, would probably provide far more value. Doubly so because the biggest benefit to detached housing (more window space) is not even realized...again, because they are too close.

Well, yes, I can clearly see on Google Maps that these houses have backyards that make the sideyard negligible. The value judgement of a sideyard vs larger home is up to the market to decide (unless zoning is preventing this from happening).

More window space may be your biggest benefit, but if we are comparing detached homes to semis or townhouses, I think you highlighted what most people would see as a larger benefit in your post immediately prior: not having to deal with uncooperative neighbours. Even if condo townhomes provide a better framework for cooperation, if I understand correctly, you are still subject to the decisions of the condo board that you are only a small part of.

I mean, the roof stuff is funny, but in detached housing, one must still deal with other people...especially when pressed up against them so closely.

And yes, if we leave aside zoning, there may be market forces prefering detached housing over townhouses, but it doesn't make it a good market force. If people are choosing a housing form that has effectively the same disadvantages, but with all the benefits of efficiency lost, merely due to social pressure....well...one must be ready to question our social and cultural values.

The market is not magic, contrary to popular belief it does not find the best solution for all values of "best", only those values of best which are easy to convince people of, and it all comes back to people...and we make poor decisions...both as central planners, AND in groups.