Already, the federal government has estimated that current infrastructure repairs will run in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Unrestrained physical growth has persisted simply because it could, with little regard as to whether this was healthy in a broader, metropolitan context. Certainly, current development patterns have benefited some people, and some growth must take place in outlying areas simply because urban areas have limited vacant land. The question is whether we are making good long-term investments. The initial answer seems to be no.
Economic prosperity is but a piece of the pie, but a vitally important one.
Certainly curing urban sprawl will not solve all regional problems. But once the economic foundation of a region has been reinforced, answers for long-term metropolitan health will likely be easier to identify and address. Ron Wirtz, Citizens League research associate, assisted in the writing of this column.