Using Cartoons to Explain Smart Growth

Consider adding this animated video, which explains how past planning practices created sprawl and how smart growth policies can help solve multiple problems, to your family's Sunday morning cartoon rotation.

1 minute read

March 18, 2012, 5:00 AM PDT

By Todd Litman


Produced by Vivre en Ville, an NGO dedicated to improving the quality of the natural and living environments in Quebec communities, Saga City is an entertaining animated video which explains how past transport and land use policies contribute to sprawl and automobile dependency, the problems that result, and how smart growth policy reforms can create better communities.

With its aim of promoting better practices in urban planning and sensitizing the population on the issues at stake, Saga City is a good introduction to urban planning issues for a general audience.

Thanks to Todd Litman

Thursday, March 15, 2012 in Saga City

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 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A row of cars parked next to a building. One car drives perpendicular to the parked cars.

Less housing, wasted money: study reveals impact of city parking mandates

The study found that 71% of carless households in the United States pay for a parking space they don’t use.

45 minutes ago - California YIMBY

A brick building with windows and a stone plaque that reads "The Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building"

Minnesota seeks to replace fraud-ridden Housing Stabilization Services with new program

Federal prosecutors have charged over a dozen people in fraud cases involving at least $26 million.

1 hour ago - Minnesota Reformer

A flooded road in Oakland.

A multi-billion dollar problem is brewing under Oakland’s streets

Oakland’s stormwater drainage systems are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. The El Niño will only further strain the city’s infrastructure.

2 hours ago - Mercury News