Urban Development & Planning - Current urban development prioritizes cars over people, leading to isolation and hindering natural interactions [9][11][12] - Sprawling suburban development leads to economic dead zones and inefficient land use, with 30% of residential space potentially unused [8][9] - Zoning laws and parking requirements often make walkable, mixed-use developments illegal, hindering small businesses and community interaction [18][19] - Reclaiming spaces for people, such as parklets and pedestrian zones, can increase property values, tourism, and improve traffic flow [29][31] - Walkable neighborhoods generate five times more tax revenue per dollar than typical suburban strip malls, and retail space fetches a 90% premium [36] Environmental Impact - Suburban homes use four times as much water as urban residences due to lawns and non-native plants [23] - Sprawling development disrupts ecosystems and water systems, particularly in vulnerable environments like the Mojave Desert [21][22] - Cities spend three times as much per household to provide basic services in sprawling suburbs compared to densely populated areas [26] - The average American spends 55 minutes daily driving and $12,000 annually on car expenses, creating an economic burden [27] Social & Economic Considerations - Car-dependent sprawl contributes to social isolation and mental health issues, as exemplified by Las Vegas ranking as the second loneliest city in America [15] - Collision density, fostered by inward city growth, promotes innovation and economic growth through chance encounters and shared spaces [16] - Third places (coffee shops, parks, plazas) are essential for mental health and economic vitality, but often made impossible by zoning laws [17][18]

Sprawl is still not the answer to the US housing crisis https://t.co/9My3D4RFlr ...