Shaping America's Cities: Part 1 - A Debate Over Sprawl

Bruegmann: "The outward sprawl of our cities has clearly caused some problems that need to be addressed. However this sprawl has also had enormous benefits, and it is not at all clear that any alternative urban form would work better....Today we are told that sprawl is economically inefficient, socially inequitable, environmentally damaging and aesthetically ugly...However, there is little evidence that this is the case."

Ohland: "it becomes clear why new apartment buildings, row houses, live-work spaces, condominiums, lofts, and other high-rise residential buildings are springing up in urban neighborhoods and suburban town centers all across the land. Times change. The homogeneity of our auto-oriented suburbs suited the homogenous population of yore. But a more diverse America wants more housing choices, and more transportation choices."