Why do some opponents believe concentrated high-density development can reduce biodiversity in developed areas?

Some opponents of smart growth strategies argue that prioritizing concentrated, high-density development can negatively impact biodiversity within developed areas. Their concern is rooted in the belief that such planning models effectively dedicate all available land to intensive human use, leaving little to no room for natural habitats or ecological preservation within the urban fabric.1

While proponents of smart growth emphasize efficient land use and the preservation of open spaces outside of urban boundaries, critics maintain that this intense concentration of infrastructure and human activity can displace native species and reduce the variety of life in the immediate environment. This perspective highlights a tension in urban planning: while compact development can help curb urban sprawl and its associated environmental costs—such as habitat destruction at the urban fringe—it may simultaneously create challenges for maintaining diverse biological communities within the city itself.12