Ariz. Poorly planned development is threatening our environment, our health, and our quality of life. From Connecticut to California sprawl is increasing air and water pollution, devouring wetlands and forests, and burdening our communities with the social and economic costs of unplanned growth. But runaway growth is not inevitable. Hundreds of urban, suburban and rural neighborhoods are choosing to manage sprawl with smart growth solutions. These solutions, including establishing urban growth boundaries, preserving farmland and green space, investing in alternate forms of transportation, and building compact pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, can help manage growth and control sprawl.
Sprawl increases traffic on our neighborhood streets and highways.
Sprawl lengthens trips and forces us to drive everywhere. Residents of sprawling communities drive three to four times as much as those living in compact, well-planned areas. Adding new lanes and building new roads just makes the problem worse - studies show that increasing road capacity only leads to more traffic and more sprawl. Sprawl pollutes our air and water. As sprawl increases our reliance on cars and driving, it makes our air dirtier and less healthy.