The workshop featured a  presentation the Benefits of Density by Sam Assefa, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development, for the City of Chicago.  Mr.  Assefa addressed  many of the concerns people often associate with density. 

Hyde Park has in fact experienced a significant decline in density as a result of urban renewal in the 1960's.  According to U.S. Census data the population of Hyde Park (47th St. - 60th St., Cottage Grove - Lake Michigan) in 1960 was 65,000.  The 2000 Census reports the population for that area as 44,000.

For more information about density visit:

Myths and Facts about Density - Urban Land Institute

Neighborhood Explorations - San Fransisco League of Conservation Voters, On this interactive website one can see how neighborhood density impacts the environment (land, materials, energy and driving).

Strengths in Numbers:Building VIbrant Compact Communities - Metropollitan Planning Council

Visualizing Density - Lincoln Land Institute that includes an illustrated overview of density concepts and issues, Building Blocks -  density game and an image bank of different levels of density.