Carson Applies Occam's Razor To Sprawl

Richard Carson takes issue with the overlapping visions of the new urbanists and the environmentalists.

1 minute read

February 4, 2004, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"In the post-war years of the late 1940s the buzzword was the 'fringe land.' In 1970s it was called 'leap frog' development. In the 1990s it is became 'sprawl.' But is there a common thread to our cultural and personal ambitions as Americans, and to our future?... I decided to use a philosophical method, called 'Occam's razor.'... The very same special interest groups who have vilified the 200-year American experience of 'sprawl' have just institutionalized it in the name of best available science and saving the planet for salmon."

Thanks to ArchNewsNow

Tuesday, February 3, 2004 in Planum: European Journal Of Planning

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nilu Jenks wears a long gray coat and speaks with one man and two women outside.

Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember

Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.

45 minutes ago - Reason

People sit on wooden benches on a bus in Miami

New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks

Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade residents homeowners $2,700 in 2028.

1 hour ago - Miami New Times

Two men install solar panels on the roof of a house.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms

The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.

2 hours ago - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.