Geller A. Smart growth: a prescription for livable cities. Am J Public Health 2003; 93: 1410-1415.
Summary: This article defines four dimensions of sprawl explains how it is a financial and social strain on cities and counties. The author offers examples of "smart" planning throughout the US and a glimpse at the future of the movement.
General Concensus: Reviews for this article were positive. Students reported that this article helped them view land use in a new light and made them consider the human health effects of sprawl but left them wondering what to do next. Will the movement be locally or federally driven? Will cities with larger tax bases take the lead? Students acknowledged that many Americans are perfectly happy with the current pattern of auto dependent planning and that challenging this thinking is a large hurdle to leap. One student noticed that the author credited government leadership in different cities for the smart growth plans and wonders if the process wasn't more community driven.
Additional Comments:
"The paper concludes by suggesting the federal government needs to become a more involved promoter of smart city planning. I tend to agree, but I'm not holding my breath. I think a lot of Americans still hold on to the suburban dream." (HSERV)
"The argument that Smart Growth basically gentrifies communities is especially interesting to me and I would like to see/read more on this topic." (URBDP)
"This article is a bit dated, given the progress of the "smart growth" movement in the United States, which underlies most every major trend in planning over the past decade. A similar but more up-to-date article would be useful during the very early stages of a BE & Health class directed towards public health students." (UDPL)