Sprawl: It Can't Happen Here

Newsweek columnist Anna Quindlen shares her perspective on one of the greatest crisis facing the nation: sprawl.

1 minute read

August 25, 2004, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The unchecked development that's earned the suitably ugly name of sprawl isn't regulated by one government group and doesn't surface often as a national issue. It takes place town by town, building by building, overseen by state and local authorities and driven by the profit motive. And its net effect is usually noticed when it is already out of hand, when the wells run brown with mud...

It is easy to blame such developers, and the officials who have given them a pass. But neither group proceeds with stealth. In state after state, town after town, their actions have made their mandate clear: it's not the long view of the natural world that motivates them, but the short-term goal of cash. It's the mindset of ordinary people that is harder to countenance. Many have the attitude toward development that we once had toward smoking: sure it's bad, but it won't be a problem for me."

Thanks to The Practice of New Urbanism

Monday, August 23, 2004 in Newsweek

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Wide suburban road with landscaped median and light pole banners advertising local amphitheater.

End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl

The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.

April 29, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up of pug dog sitting on woman's lap on city bus.

Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy

A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.

May 9 - The Urbanist

Modular home being lifted with crane.

Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing

The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.

May 9 - Oregon Capital Chronicle

Two people on Nashville BCycle bike share wearing helmets loking out over railing at downtown skyline.

Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding

The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.

May 9 - WKRN

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.