The Other Side Of Smart Growth

"Smart growth's objectives sound sensible enough; proponents work to promote mass transit, slow the development of farmland and rebuild inner cities. In practice, however, smart growth often turns out to be pretty dumb. In many communities, it drives up housing prices with costly regulations and limits on new construction. Zoning restrictions and local development plans effectively dictate what can be done with private property. Once-valuable land becomes locked into outmoded uses." [Editor's note: Although WSJ articles are typically only available to subscribers, this article appears to be available free.]