Sprawl

Suburban Neighborhood

Pew: More Americans Prefer Big Homes, Longer Distances to Retail and Amenities

The pandemic has resulted in an an increasing preference for sprawl among Americans, according to the findings of a recent Pew Research Center "American Trends Panel."

August 29, 2021 - Pew Research Center

A aerial view of Ladera Ranch, California, showing a variety of buildings and open space.

What Are Master Planned Communities?

Now frequently associated with retirees and sprawling developments in the U.S. Sun Belt, master planned communities, also known as new towns or planned communities, were invented as an escape from the haphazard growth of urban areas in the mid-20th century.

August 24, 2021 - James Brasuell

Manhattan, New York City

Cities Are Back (At Least They Were Before COVID)

The 2020 Census results show that central cities were gaining population to a much greater extent than earlier Census estimates had suggested.

August 16, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

Las Vegas, Nevada

Cities in the South and West Keep Sprawling

New suburbs continue to expand into previously undeveloped areas, putting strain on local resources.

August 13, 2021 - The Washington Post

Exurban Development

What Are Exurbs?

Farther out than suburbs but still connected to a major urban center, exurbs lie at the ever-shifting border between urban and rural spaces and are defined by economic ties to a city, low density housing, and high population growth.

June 23, 2021 - Diana Ionescu

California Sprawl

What Is Sprawl?

Sprawl is one of the most common terms used to describe built environments in the United States and the world. It can be applied to urban, suburban, and exurban settings, and it's almost never a compliment.

June 17, 2021 - James Brasuell

Highway 93

Unsustainable Sprawl Testing Water Supplies in the Valley of the Sun

As more and more people move to the suburbs blossoming in the Phoenix metro area, local water officials are increasingly concerned about the region's ability to keep up with demand.

June 9, 2021 - High Country News

Single-Family Homes

On the Essential Role of Land Use in the Fight Against Climate Change

The country cannot hope to achieve its goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions without fundamentally rethinking its land use and development patterns, according to this article.

May 24, 2021 - Brookings

Butte County, California

California's Fastest Growing City: Paradise

Paradise, California—devastated by the deadly Camp Fire of 2018—is attracting new and returning residents as the city rebuilds its housing stock.

May 11, 2021 - Sacramento Bee via SFGate

Eli Broad

Los Angeles' Merchant of Sprawl

Los Angeles is mourning the death of billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad. For all of Broad's many civic contributions, he made his fortune in a decidedly anti-urban way.

May 4, 2021 - California Planning & Development Report

San Francisco, California

6 Principles to Manage Wildfire Risk With Effective Housing Policy

The connection between housing policy and climate change is made clear by the increasing damage of wildfires in California.

April 18, 2021 - SPUR

Tejon Ranch

Massive Tejon Ranch Development Paused; Judge Cites Wildfire, Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In the works since 1999, the Centennial Project by Tejon Ranch Co. seemed to have cleared its final hurdle in 2018, but a Los Angeles County court ruling has created another hurdle for the sprawling development.

April 11, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

California Shelter-in-Place

Predicting a Comeback for Cities

An argument for the long-term cultural and economic viability of the city, even after the pandemic.

April 4, 2021 - Vox

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Warehouse Sprawl Prompts Calls for Regional Planning

As e-commerce giants like Amazon build more and more facilities, advocates say a regional approach is needed to prevent sprawl and look beyond local benefits.

March 31, 2021 - NJ Spotlight

Colorado Springs, Colorado skyline

Colorado Springs Drafts New Regional Annexation Plan

A regional planning proposal in El Paso County, Colorado calls for uniform standards for unincorporated developments, which would make it easier to receive city services if annexed in the future.

March 30, 2021 - The Gazette (Colorado Springs)

Houston, Texas

A New Metropolitan Blueprint for Texas

Traditionally associated with its wide-open spaces, Texas is now, undeniably, defined by the cities and suburbs that comprise its built environment.

March 25, 2021 - Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Small Lot Townhouses

Opinion: Western Towns Need More Density, Not More Sprawl

To fix the housing crisis, cities should focus on "missing middle housing" and multi-family development.

March 22, 2021 - In These Times

Houston Sprawl

How to Fix Racist Housing Policies: Sue the Suburbs

Strengthening U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's civil rights enforcement could send a powerful signal to communities resistant to changing discriminatory housing rules.

February 25, 2021 - Vox

Suburban Home

What is Single-Family Zoning?

Single-family zoning is by far the most common form of zoning in the United States, but it's facing increasing criticisms both for its discriminatory origins and its sprawling effects.

February 23, 2021 - James Brasuell

Marina City House of Blues parking

What Are Parking Requirements?

Parking requirements determine by law the amount of parking developers must include when building new developments. Though a standard of zoning and development codes nationwide, parking requirements are undergoing a process of reform.

January 31, 2021 - James Brasuell

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.