As The Nation Grows, Jersey City Shows How To Deal

Experiencing a rebound of smart growth and urban development, Jersey City, New Jersey, is becoming an example for other growing cities.

1 minute read

April 18, 2007, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


After years of depopulation and urban decline, "Jersey City has come back as its own antithesis: clean, green and growing - an example, urban planners say, of how the nation can accommodate some of the additional 100 million Americans expected by 2040 without paving over every farm, forest and meadow."

"Smart Growth America, an advocacy group that ranks the largest metro areas by sprawl, says Jersey City is the second 'least sprawling,' trailing only New York City."

"In a region where many cities are shrinking, Jersey City in the last quarter-century has gained about 30,000 residents, 27,000 jobs and 18 million square feet of prime office space."

Monday, April 16, 2007 in The Baltimore Sun

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"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 20, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A yellow, two-story building named Ferns with two American flags.

This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way

Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”

October 22, 2026 - Boston Globe

A square Tesla home battery on the side of a home.

Home batteries are ushering in an energy revolution

Batteries capable of storing solar energy can stabilize the grid during peaks and keep homes running on cloudy days.

October 26 - Grist

A large green space outside a tall, silver terminal.

A sneak peek at NYC’s Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild

The city will turn a deck used for storage during the construction process into a park once construction is complete.

October 26 - Gothamist

One of Archer Aviations air taxis. it has four small propellers and a sleek black build.

Air taxis to connect Texas airports to business hubs

Archer Aviation says its taxis will turn 90 minute drives into 20 minute flights.

October 26 - Fort Worth Report