Localities often handle growth in ways that benefit themselves individually but hurt regions as a whole, said VCU's Johnson. For example, Goochland County approved the huge West Creek business complex without encouraging housing in or near the park, Johnson said. That means workers will have to commute from other localities to the park, increasing traffic and air pollution. That's a perfect example why growth should be managed regionally, Johnson and Weitz said. You have to decide what you want to be when you grow up, and then you can decide how to get there.
Critics say sprawl destroys farms, forests and wildlife habitats.
They say it turns distinctive rural communities into look-alike subdivisions and strip shopping centers. Many builders and environmentalists favor compact development that would reduce sprawl. Builders, however, fear some anti-sprawl measures might hurt growth, jobs and property rights. As the hot economy of the 1990s ignited torrid growth, people started raising concerns about sprawl in Virginia and across the country. The VCU symposium looked at anti-sprawl efforts in other states.