Ten Things Wrong With Sprawl
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05. 7.07
Treehugger often says that cities are the most sustainable way to live. The converse is that suburban sprawl is probably the worst. Preston at Jetson Green points us to James M. McElfish of the Environmental Law Institute, who lists ten problems with sprawl:
1. Sprawl development contributes to a loss of support for public facilities and public menities.
2. Sprawl undermines effective maintenance of existing infrastructure.
3. Sprawl increases societal costs for transportation.
4. Sprawl consumes more resources than other development patterns.
5. Sprawl separates urban poor people from jobs.
6. Sprawl imposes a tax on time.
7. Sprawl degrades water and air quality.
8. Sprawl results in the permanent alteration and destruction of habitats.
9. Sprawl creates difficulty in maintaining community.
10. Sprawl offers the promise of choice while only delivering more of the same.
Free PDF download at ::Environmental Law Institute via :: Jetson Green
(suburban)Sprawl seems to be the most popular method for housing and dwelling for the Real States companies and developers.
Wouldn´t be great to apply the Design Philosophy of C2C to the suburban sprawl?
I guess in that way, this urban development method won´t be called as the Earths Cancer anymore.
Saludos.
Yair.
Livable Communities
This is the 150 anniversary year of the American Institute of Architects. The local chapters are sponsoring meetings and townhall events to promote 10 Principles for Livable Communities.
The Principles are:
1. Design on a Human Scale
2. Provide Choices
3. Encourage Mixed-Use Development
4. Preserve Urban Centers
5. Vary Transportation Options
6. Build Vibrant Public Spaces
7. Create a Neighborhood Identy
8. Protect Environmental Resources
9. Conserve Landscapes
10. Design Matters
Just ten?