Conventional Development Versus Managed Growth: The Costs of Sprawl

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined the effects of sprawl, or conventional development, versus managed (or "smart") growth on land and infrastructure consumption as well as on real estate development and public service costs in the United States. METHODS: Mathematical impact models were used to produce US estimates of differences in resources consumed according to each growth scenario over the period 2000-2025. RESULTS: Sprawl produces a 21% increase in amount of undeveloped land converted to developed land (2.4 million acres) and approximately a 10% increase in local road lane-miles (188 300). Furthermore, sprawl causes about 10% more annual public service (fiscal) deficits ($4.2 billion US dollars) and 8% higher housing occupancy costs ($13 000 US dollars per dwelling unit). CONCLUSIONS: Managed growth can save significant amounts of human and natural resources with limited effects on traditional development procedures.