What is a disadvantage of urban infill?

Urban infill refers to the process of developing vacant or under-used parcels within existing urban areas. A significant disadvantage of urban infill is the higher cost associated with building on these sites compared to greenfield locations. This is often due to a variety of factors, such as the need for extensive site preparation, the potential for dealing with existing infrastructure, higher labor costs in urban settings, and possible zoning or regulatory hurdles.

Infill projects may also require significant investment in terms of upgrading utilities, addressing environmental concerns, or mitigating historical preservation issues, which can further escalate costs. By contrast, greenfield sites are typically undeveloped areas where construction can proceed with fewer complications about existing structures or regulations, leading to lower initial expenditures.

The other options provided do not highlight disadvantages inherent to urban infill. For instance, increased space availability typically refers to the abundance of vacant lots in urban settings, which might actually be seen as an advantage. Similarly, urban areas often have an established public transportation network, which would not imply less need but, rather, a more efficient use of transportation resources. Greater community agreement on new usages also tends to stem from infill projects being developed within already established neighborhoods, leading to more stakeholder engagement rather than being seen as a disadvantage.