The Smart-Growth Governor

Former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening says that in some ways the economic downturn in the U.S. has been a good thing because it gave the state a chance to reevaluate development patterns.

1 minute read

April 17, 2011, 9:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Ex-Gov. Glendening spoke about the effect of rising gas prices, and the unnoticed added cost of transportation that comes from moving farther out from the city's core.

"Some people "hate sprawl and hate density and they're fighting against both of them. When you think about it for a moment, that's not going to work," Glendening said. As it is, governments have done a "horrible job with density in American cities, with high-rises surrounded by empty open space, which feels unsafe and unwelcoming," he added, showing a diagram of a development in Detroit featuring widely spaced skyscrapers with nothing between them."

Sunday, April 17, 2011 in South Maryland Newspapers Online

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.

3 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

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

Bike Commute

The Rippling Effects of Bike-to-Work Subsidies

A European movement to incentivize people to commute by bicycle is changing travel patterns and making mobility more sustainable.

9 minutes ago - Momentum Magazine

Senior couple driving car.

Preparing Transportation Systems for the ‘Silver Tsunami’

More Americans than ever will age beyond their safe ability to drive. How will they meet their mobility needs in a car-centric society?

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

2 hours ago - Inc.

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.