U.S. Governors Lament Sprawl

At a recent meeting of the National Governors' Assocation, participants conceded that preventing sprawl has become a challenge for states nationwide, and that sprawl is no longer confined to states with large cities. The governors examined symptoms of sprawl, such as increases in commute times and endangered species listings, and discussed how many zoning laws and building codes can encourage sprawl. The governors agreed that there are no simple solutions, but they highlighted several successful "smart growth" programs implemented around the country and reaffirmed the long-term goals of controlling growth and reinvigorating cities.