Will sprawling cities stay sprawled? Starting in their downtowns, some Sun Belt behemoths are embracing denser, more walkable forms.
Home to about one-sixth of the U.S. population, "sprawling cities" are small regional centers that ballooned out over the past 60 years into distinctly unwalkable suburban metropolises.
For CNU, Robert Steuteville identifies 25 such locations, characterized by their auto-dependent development patterns since 1950. "Because of the infrastructure and built patterns since 1950, only 6 percent of residents walk, bike, or take transit to work in sprawling cities. Because they are so automobile dependent, they impose much higher transportation costs on residents."
Located in the Sun Belt (and elsewhere in the nation's southern half), "sprawling cities are diverse places—about a third of the population is Hispanic. Average household income tops $54,000, which is about the same as traditional cities. Crime is relatively low in sprawling cities, although death and injury by automobile is higher than traditional cities."
Steuteville points to some signs that despite their unwieldy infrastructure, these cities are becoming more traditionally urban. "Downtowns of sprawling cities were among the first to revive. A prime example is Fort Worth, which rebuilt a walkable downtown over the course of two decades, culminating in the fabulous Sundance Square." Economically vibrant and affordable, "sprawling cities have the market strength to rebuild [old malls] as mixed-use centers."
Read the full story: Sprawling cities are becoming more urban
The Natalist Case For Sprawl (And Why It Fails)
Some commentators defend anti-urban government policies such as exclusionary zoning on the basis that homeowning suburbanites have high birth rates. But this doesn't seem to be true in recent decades.
Zoning for Good
A new book highlights the power of zoning to change communities for the better.
The Changing Shape of American Suburbs
Housing costs and availability are pushing more American households, including young families, to suburbs and exurbs — and they’re demanding changes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking
New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.
Officials look to alter BART extension as price goes through the roof
Tariffs and the war with Iran are behind the rising cost.
To power data centers, Utah company may build hundreds of nuclear reactors on state land
In its permit application, Valar asked for the county to confirm that changes within its outlined plan would still be covered by the permit.
San Antonio is using environmental review to stall ICE detention center
San Antonio sued last month to pause work on the new detention center until the federal government studied its effect on the surrounding area.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Charlotte
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello