In search of space and affordability, American families are increasingly moving to suburbs and exurbs.

Suburban sprawl is nothing new to U.S. cities, but, as we have noted repeatedly over the last two years, the pandemic has accelerated the dispersal of urban households to suburbs and exurbs and reduced Americans' appetite for public transit. But high rents in urban cores have been driving the trend since well before the pandemic. And, as Patrick Sisson writes, "with growth has come a familiar set of challenges, including traffic, environmental damage and city services that struggle to reach a spread-out population."
To meet rising demand for new homes, developers are building on undeveloped suburban fringes rather than urban infill properties with more difficult permitting processes. "Indeed, the ascendance of sprawl is a source of dismay for historic foes of this land- and energy-intensive development pattern, which bakes-in car-centric lifestyles and strains resources like water."
While some cities are enacting zoning reforms and pro-density policies to increase affordability and fight climate change, Sisson says "those factors are not nearly enough to offset the magnetic pull of cheap land." While local leaders embrace walkability and density as goals, many households are still forced to seek affordability outside central cities. Meanwhile, build-to-rent developers are capitalizing on the need from people who can't afford homeownership but want the space and amenities offered by single-family homes.
FULL STORY: How the Pandemic Supercharged Sprawl

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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