Compact Urban Form and Expansion Pattern Slow Down the Decline in Urban Densities: A Global Perspective

•Urban population densities persistently decline over time across the world.•Urban from and expansion pattern significantly influence the decline in densities.•Fragmented form and extension expansion accelerate the decline in densities.•Compact form and infill expansion alleviate the decline in densities.•Compact growth is encouraged to slow down the decline in urban densities.