Even when fewer people live in sprawling suburban communities than dense urban communities, one of these settlement types has the benefit of being much cheaper to serve.

New research by Christopher Goodman details the costs of sprawl—in terms of its effect on the bottom line of local governments.
Goodman studied 30 years of public spending at the county level to reveal that compact development is less costly to local governments. Sprawling, spread out development "drives up the cost of providing services, despite fewer being needed to service a relatively smaller population."
An article by Goodman details more of the findings from the study, "The Fiscal Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Evidence From U.S. County Areas," published by the Public Budgeting and Finance journal.
FULL STORY: Why your sprawling, low-density suburb may be costing your local government money

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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