What About The Non-Smart Growthers?

Neal Peirce responds to tough questions about smart growth and regionalism posed by prominent California economist Steven Levy.

1 minute read

January 8, 2003, 12:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Is smart growth smart enough to deal with the complex realities, and competing demands, of metro area development and population expansion? Steven Levy asks: "Professionally, I work with regional planning councils doing long-term projections of job and housing trends. At this level, it is always the case in California that what is called "smart-growth" cannot possibly fill more than a fraction of overall regional housing needs. Moreover, there are profound ethical and equity issues which I never find adequately addressed by "smart-growth" advocates. One question is "what if I don't want to live in an urban infill, walkable community setting?" Does my family lose its right to new housing? Is my family "less important" than a family who wants to live in an urban setting?"

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, January 6, 2003 in Citistates Group

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