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| America
is growing. But is it growing smart? |
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By
Julia Scott
As
the population grows, so do our housing needs. Poor urban planning in
cities has meant less affordable housing, concerns about water and air
quality, and less mobility.
Suburban living is the only alternative, guaranteeing a longer commute
and, in some cases, the loss of community space and tract housing as
far as the eye can see. Everyone wants their own little plot of land,
and in so doing, we've replaced farmland and the natural environment
with strip malls, parking lots and highways.
Fortunately, several municipalities are acting to restore the "Main
Street" feeling of America's lost towns, ensuring affordable housing,
smart transportation and small business opportunities.
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"Atlanta
confronts urban realities of unprecedented growth"
CNN.com, October 1, 2001
A special series focusing on how one city, Atlanta, has dealt with all
the problems of urban sprawl.
"Study
shows massive tree loss in U.S. cities"
Reuters, September 18, 2003
America's cities have lost more than 20% of their trees in the past
10 years due to urban sprawl.
"Cities
may be key to saving environment"
Environmental News Network, June 28, 1999
A report from the Worldwatch Institute reveals that a city conservation
strategy is needed to reverse environmental destruction.
The Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse is a great place to kick off your
urban sprawl education. Learn about the major causes of sprawl and their
impacts, and find out what your state is already doing to try to solve
the problem. www.sprawlwatch.org
Farmland is being gobbled up by development. Learn more at: www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/articles/USDAreport.asp.
Browse through photographs of cool, people-friendly public parks, markets,
waterfronts, etc. from all over the world. www.pps.org/gps
Check out the Sierra Club's indispensable fact sheet on the relationship
between population growth and suburban sprawl: www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/whitepaper.asp
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"Surfer
health study cites impact of urban runoff"
Associated Press, April 7, 2004
San Mateo, CA water officials and environmentalists are doing their
best to clean up coastline pollution from urban runoff.
Get the lowdown on drinking water quality in your community, and on
what you can do. www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/default.asp
Sewage treatment, urban runoff and solid waste are serious concerns
for any city. Find out why: www.learner.org/exhibits/garbage/intro.html
Urban communities of color across the country suffer from poor nutrition
because they lack access to healthy food in their neighborhoods. Many
are starting to grow their own. www.iatp.org/faspf/library/uploadedfiles/
Obesity_Diet-Related_Disease_Food_Access_and_C.doc
A comprehensive study of chemical contaminants in Americans' bodies
had important results. www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden/
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"Air
Sickness"
Metro Newspapers (CA), September 25, 2003
Automobile smog may cause asthma and other health problems.
"AAA Paves the Road to Hell"
Harper's Magazine, May 2002
How AAA lobbies against clean air, bikes, transit, auto safety, etc.Ñand
contributes to traffic congestion.
"Growth
in the Valley: Retaining local quality of life: It takes a region"
Sacramento Bee (CA), May 9, 2004
Residents of a central California region ask: why not build new housing
units near existing transit lines instead of moving the boundaries of
the metro area farther and farther out?
Thousands for pedestrian deaths each year represent a disregard for
their safety when it comes to urban transportation planning. www.ewg.org/pub/home/reports/meanstreets/mean.html
Learn about how building roads and highways actually increases sprawl.
www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/transportation/cincy.asp
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"Alternative
power stocks get a charge following blackout"
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, August. 15, 2003
After the multi-city blackout in August, 2003, which was the result
of an antiquated energy infrastructure, geothermal and other alternative
energy companies got a boost.
Discover why the city of San Jose, CA, stands out as an example of municipal
energy efficiency. www.lgc.org/freepub/energy/casestudies/case1.html
Enter your zip code to find out how your community rates in air quality,
waste, land contamination, water, and environmental justice. www.scorecard.org
Believe it or not, residential and commercial buildings are a major
source of air quality pollution, as well as big energy wasters. Find
out how new building trends are getting "greener." www.sustainable.doe.gov/buildings/gbintro.shtml
Air quality in big cities has gotten so bad, nearly half of all Americans
are breathing unhealthy air every day. Learn more in a report called
"Clearing the Air," published in August 2003. www.transact.org/report.asp?id=227
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"Higher
housing costs can be offset by lower transportation costs"
Reality Times, September 18, 2003
A new study links housing and transportation costs in 28 metropolitan
areas.
"Shame
of the cities: Gentrification in the new urban America"
Lip Magazine, March 15, 2003
As housing becomes more expensive, lower-income families are being driven
out of neighborhoods.
"China
booming but urban poverty set to get worse"
Agence France-Presse, April 16, 2004
As China's peasant population migrates to cities, the Chinese government
struggles to cope with a new breed of urban poverty.
Useful facts about affordable housing and homelessness are at: www.nationalhomeless.org/facts/housing.html
A Sierra Club document presents some solutions to the affordable housing
crisis: www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/affordable.pdf
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"Urban
Gardens / People's Grocery teens take pride in their organic gardens"
At-risk teens gain business skills, grow an urban garden and learn about
nutrition.
"A
contract for hard work and leadership skills"
Christian Science Monitor, August 12, 1998
Boston's The Food Project gives teens a job and helps them grow their
own organic produce.
Sprawl has inadvertently contributed to the mushrooming dead-end job
market for youthÑespecially in suburbia, where there are few alternatives.
www.laborcenter.berkeley.edu/youngworkers
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"Car-sharing
goes online"
Wired News, June 6, 2000
Before you buy that car, see if there's a car-sharing program in your
areaÑthe newest alternative to car ownership for urban dwellers.
Greening Gotham envisions an energy-saving rooftop garden wilderness
in New York City. www.greeninggotham.org
What are the qualities of a "Healthy City?" Find out how to make your
own city healthier using the World Health Organization's guide.
www.who.dk/healthy-cities
Plant a tree in your backyard! American Forests can also plant trees
for you in exchange for a small donation. www.americanforests.org/resources/howtoplanttrees/
Learn about what "smart growth" looks like in different cities and suburbs
across the United States. www.nrdc.org/cities/smartGrowth/
solslide/solslideinx.asp
Check out the National Resources Defense Council's useful energy efficiency
tips: www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp
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