Urban Sprawl Summary

Mary DeSena wrote an article on how the design of smart growth can solve the problems related to urban sprawl (DeSena, 1999). The article, “‘Smart Growth’ Designed to Solve Urban Sprawl-related Problems”, discussed what costs are associated with sprawl to cities, policies that contain sprawl, and the success of Portland’s smart growth management policies. Sprawl has caught the attention of charities, grant makers, and even foundations to combat the sprawl problem (DeSena, 1999). They believe that sprawling is the root of so many serious problems such as social, economic, and environmental (DeSena, 1999). There are a few examples of policies that contain sprawl, in this article the author discusses Maryland’s related policy. Maryland’s smart growth initiative requires new developments to meet the minimum state criteria for the density of average residencies and their access to public and wastewater services (DeSena, 1999). In the case builders do not want to build within these smart growth areas then they …show more content…
I was surprised but not so much so since I have experienced some life changes since undergraduate studies. The results allowed me to see the changes in my day to day from undergraduate studies to working full time. If everyone lived like me we would need 5 planets to provide enough resources! To support my lifestyle it would take 22.2 global acres of the productive areas of the earth. In addition, services make up 40% of my ecological footprint. My overall ecological footprint shows that a lifestyle change is necessary in order to be a factor in society building and maintaining a sustainable community. Of course, I cannot make this change by myself but I can start by making smarter choices for my household and teach others. Moreover, society has the ability and can becomes less dependent on goods and services that negatively impact the environment by changing their consumption