Recently, however, the pressures of growth in the North and South Valleys are forcing conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial development and causing keen interest among residents in planning for and protecting the special character of their valleys. With an influx of people from other states and upward mobility of local residents, the city has continued to grow. Walled and gated communities are springing up in response to demands for safety and security against crime. While walled communities may provide a stronger sense of security, they also create visual, economic, and social divisions and disrupt street continuity and traffic. Future Vision Indifference to the design of the built environment needs to change.
Unmanaged growth threatens the natural environment and quality of life.
We have made great strides in improving the quality of life by providing cultural and recreational facilities such as museums, the zoo, and the botanical gardens. However, greater effort is needed to develop the city into a cohesive, exciting, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment. The need for good urban design seems to be awakening in Albuquerque. We need to raise the general awareness, however, about the importance of urban design as an approach to balanced planning. We need to begin with a dialogue among local and state agencies, including public utility companies, schools, neighborhood organizations, professional and business communities, and the public at large.