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What is the criteria for the sprawl? Its weird to see places like Philly and NYC on the same list as a place like Phoenix. Philly and NYC have lots of row houses and brick buildings packed into a small area which kinda goes against the idea of sprawl. Phoenix has lots of single family homes and developments with lots of space which fits the sprawl characteristic pretty well.
What is the criteria for the sprawl? Its weird to see places like Philly and NYC on the same list as a place like Phoenix. Philly and NYC have lots of row houses and brick buildings packed into a small area which kinda goes against the idea of sprawl. Phoenix has lots of single family homes and developments with lots of space which fits the sprawl characteristic pretty well.
Good question. I think the previous list just looks at size of metros, w/o looking at pop. density, or ratio of city dwellers to suburbanites, both criteria I feel important in talking about "sprwal".
Good question. I think the previous list just looks at size of metros, w/o looking at pop. density, or ratio of city dwellers to suburbanites, both criteria I feel important in talking about "sprwal".
yea, you'd think population density would come into play here.
Here's "A Comprehensive Look at Sprawl in America", a USA Today article from 2001 that includes a complete rated list of cities and analysis of "sprawl" per several criteria. It should answer a lot of the questions posed here.
What I found most interesting about the article is Portland's relatively low rating as opposed to its image. The cause is that regions beyond Portland's urban management have been developed, jumping their jurisdiction and spreading out. That's the fluidity of market forces at work that can't be easily contained.
You would venture to be wrong...any city that doesn't exist in a vacuum learned about sprawl and it's negative effects and perceptions years ago. Every major city in the U.S. has taken steps to curb sprawl and build inward, not outward. The changes in the #1 city on that list have been tremendous.
So yes, the list is outdated and not valid in any current discussion.
I did a few calculations one time. Atlanta and DC have large numbers of people living in their metros as compared to the # living in the city. So, actually, does Pittsburgh.
WOW! I bet your calculations were really scientific and followed some great criteria.
Why don't you guys use sierra clubs website. They are one of the best at rating sprawl around metro areas.
Here's "A Comprehensive Look at Sprawl in America", a USA Today article from 2001 that includes a complete rated list of cities and analysis of "sprawl" per several criteria. It should answer a lot of the questions posed here.
What I found most interesting about the article is Portland's relatively low rating as opposed to its image. The cause is that regions beyond Portland's urban management have been developed, jumping their jurisdiction and spreading out. That's the fluidity of market forces at work that can't be easily contained.
Okay...an article that's 8 years old is a little better than one 20 years old, but I hope we all realize how much can change in 8 years. A more current reference would be more relevant to the discussion.
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