Robert Steuteville comments on a California lawsuit and its connection to sprawl, the environment, and energy use.
"California has been a leader in state action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and now the Golden State is going after one of the most important and least recognized causes of global warming: suburban development patterns."
"In order to understand that connection, sprawl needs to be clearly defined. One of the most vigorous defenders of sprawl, Robert Bruegmann, a University of Illinois professor who has written a book titled Sprawl: A Compact History, defines it so broadly - essentially, any outward growth in a metropolis - that the term loses all meaning."
"It's true that there has always been growth on the outskirts of settlements - and sometimes that growth has been relatively spread out at first. The peripheral growth may be suburban, but not necessarily sprawl. Historically, the outward growth was walkable and included a mixture of uses."
Thanks to Gayle Ross
FULL STORY: Sprawl: agent of climate change

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