It is too late for Mount Laurel to retrofit itself - not that most residents want to - with a downtown and higher-density housing.

However, the character of the suburb is changing rapidly, with increased road traffic and higher-density housing becoming more common.

Phase 3 of the plan calls for higher-density rental housing and a park.

And a new study argues that higher-density housing would not only supply more affordable housing but leave more room for gardens and parks.

The historic core was repurposed as a new town center with retail, entertainment attractions, and additional, higher-density housing.

But in 1988 Warren's planning board approved new rules allowing higher-density housing.

In Seattle, local groups are fighting an ambitious proposal by the city's mayor, Greg Nickels, to redevelop the downtown area with higher-density housing and office space.

The Bronx group had fought bitterly with the Koch administration over another South Bronx site, where the city insisted on higher-density housing.

Now, many housing advocates say, they stand in the way of creative approaches to the housing problem, like higher-density housing and mixed-use developments.

With the city's population continuing to grow, Mr. Plunz praised efforts to build higher-density housing on the land that remains.