Sprawl leads to more emissions, but the economic costs are also high. Policies and strategies that ensure compact growth are essential.

Catlyne Haddaoui considers the implications of an August 2018 report from The New Climate Economy that says more sustainable, compact urban development will lead to global economic savings of up to $17 trillion by 2050. “Compact cities produce fewer emissions because they tend to offer better access to public transit and cycling and walking paths, have greater energy efficiency, have lower environmental costs for infrastructure, and allow for more green spaces.”
She reports that infrastructure is less costly to build and maintain in compact cities, and residents in these cities do not have to travel as far or deal with congestion and air pollution, which then boosts GDP. In addition, says Haddaoui, compact cities bring people together, spur innovation, and increase productivity.
Strategies for compact growth need to stop sprawl, which promotes auto dependence, single-family homes, and low-density development. Haddaoui says shifting people from driving to sustainable modes of travel is crucial, and this change will happen through transportation infrastructure investments.
She adds that these investments need to be coupled with national policies that further support compact development. “Governments will need to reform spatial plans, building codes and tax incentives to discourage sprawl. And they’ll need to do this while avoiding the displacement of low-income or other marginalized urban residents as inner-city areas become more attractive,” says Haddaoui.
FULL STORY: Cities Can Save $17 Trillion by Preventing Urban Sprawl

The Surprising Oil Tax in the Inflation Reduction Act
President Biden has made reducing gas prices paramount in his administration, so it was likely a surprise to hear a Republican senator last Sunday warn TV viewers that a revived and increased oil fee in the climate bill will increase their gas costs.

The Tide Has Turned Against Open Streets
Once a promising development for advocates pushing for a less car-centric future in cities, the open streets movement has ceded significant ground to cars since the height of the pandemic.

San Antonio Office Tower To Become Residential
With the building more than half vacant, the new owners of the Tower Life Building plan to convert the historic tower into residences that could include affordable housing.

Department of the Interior Forced to Intervene on the Colorado River
More questions than answers on the Colorado River this week as the federal government failed to deliver on threats to force Southwest states to cut back on water use.

Explaining Rent Inflation
The delayed effects of changes in rent costs make rent inflation a difficult figure to pin down.

Dallas Names 66-Mile Bike and Walking Trail
When complete, the newly named DFW Discovery Trail will incorporate 50 miles of existing trails into a regional ‘super highway.’
San Francisco County Transportation Authority
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Cohousing Association of the US
City of Crystal River
Sun City Center Community Association, Inc
City of Mesa
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.