Around the world, people continue to move toward urbanized areas in search of opportunity. Developing megacities and megaregions must plan ahead for the continued growth, according to Bloomberg.
Faced with the prospect of a larger and larger share of humanity moving to developed areas of the world, Peter Coy writes an article suggesting that "sprawl can be beautiful," if growth is managed well.
Coy's concern is with the growth of sprawling megacities, like Dhaka, Lagos, Manila, and Rio de Janeiro, countering those in rich western cities who romanticize "the ingenuity and perseverance of slum dwellers."
Coy is following the lead of a 2011 article from the McKinsey Global Institute titled "What’s the biggest limit on city growth? (Hint: it’s not steel or cement).” The answer to the trivia question, Coy explains, is management. New York, Paris, and Tokyo were all ungovernable at points in their development, says Coy, and developing megacities don't currently have the same advantages that now established cities had at similar points in their development.
As examples of better management and planning in developing cities, Coy points to Curitiba, with the leadership of Jaime Lerner, and Valledupar, in Colombia. The latter provides a repeated touch point throughout the article.
FULL STORY: Sprawl Can Be Beautiful—if Cities Learn to Manage Growth

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie