Urban Density and Pathology

Abstract

This paper reviews research on the association between urban density and indicators of health and social pathology. Much of the research concerns the effects of a real and indwelling densities on rates of mortality, morbidity, crime, and admissions to mental hospitals. Also included is a brief, selective review of research on the effects of high room density on social behavior. The methodological difficulties of relying on summary statistics for large population aggregates are examined as well as the inadequacies of archival measures of pathology. It is concluded that aggregate urban density has little effect on pathology, independent of socioeconomic variables. Applications of the concepts of behavioral circuit and behavior setting to research on urban density are suggested.