The Stupidity Of Smart Growth?

Columnist Steven Greenhut see the impact of smart growth in Bozeman Montana, and warns readers to "be afraid, be very afraid."

1 minute read

November 27, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"My problem is with the political power these newcomers exert in towns like Bozeman, and the way they use that power to dictate how everyone else should live... Now the newcomers are cementing in the changes, electing to office officials committed to the philosophy of Smart Growth.

But in Bozeman and other small places, the Smart Growthers, or New Urbanists, have the ability to really mess things up.

...On a practical level, these Smart Growth policies are counterproductive. Restricting growth in the city, or creating unattractive high-density projects in a place awash in open space, only pushes people farther out into the countryside."

[Editor's note: This article apparently orginally appeared in the Orange County Register, but is not available on the newspaper's website.]

Thanks to Chris Steins

Tuesday, November 23, 2004 in Orange County Register

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