ABSTRACT
Since the 1950s, with the development of interstate highway systems, the (American) pattern of residential development has become more dispersed. This development pattern has accelerated over the past 50 years, despite debates on energy crisis and recession. Sprawl increases the cost of development in the suburbs and reduces the environmental factors needed for sustainable economic growth. It also results in high consumption of agricultural land, energy and natural resources. One of the concerns in such a situation is the opposition of the consequences of this development pattern to the long-term interests of cities and human settlements. This chapter describes the smart growth solution to the big question of urban sprawl.
