What is the relationship between compactness and sustainability in Canadian cities?

The relationship between compactness and sustainability in Canadian cities is nuanced, and option C highlights a significant challenge in promoting compact urban living. While compact living can offer various benefits, including reduced environmental impact through lower car dependency and more efficient land use, many residents in Canadian cities express a preference for suburban lifestyles. This preference complicates efforts to promote compactness because it may lead to resistance against policies aimed at densifying urban areas and reducing sprawl.

Suburban living often appeals to families seeking larger homes and yards, which can clash with the goals of compact development that prioritize higher density and mixed-use zoning in urban centers. This tension reflects a broader challenge in urban planning where the ideals of compactness and sustainability must navigate the existing preferences and lifestyle choices of the current population. Emphasizing the need to balance these elements is critical as cities strive toward sustainability while also considering the desires of their residents.