Sprawl Retrofit

Sprawl is still the prevailing growth pattern in the U.S., but it is the least sustainable and the least affordable for public and private investment. There is growing evidence of its unsupportable environmental, social and even medical costs. American sprawl is even considered responsible for the current global financial crisis, triggered by the mortgage defaults of over-extended commuters. Yet the developing world continues to copy our sprawling example, with disturbing implications for global challenges like climate change.

Since this misguided investment cannot be abandoned, new urbanists have long been engaged in repairing and retrofitting the patterns of sprawl into quality human environments. We have shown that it is possible to do so, leveraging our actions with a growing strategic toolkit of approaches. In this important work we can set a positive example for others in the U.S. and internationally, in a time of converging economic, social and environmental crises but also great opportunities.

Now is the time to secure the terms of restructuring and redevelopment of suburbia - so that retrofitted centers are walkable, diverse and environmentally sustainable. CNU members must play key advisory and design roles in this most urgent and important project of the 21st century. We can work with the new administration and other sympathetic governments and leaders to develop new federal, state, and regional policies, along with strategic design tools and guidelines. The Sprawl Retrofit initiative will take forward this important work, by creating policy proposals, regulatory frameworks, a database on successes and opportunities, and a “toolkit” of design strategies.

Resources

  • Sprawl Retrofit Presentation - This presentation provides an overview for the reasons to retrofit sprawl and outlines some of the techniques for implementation
  • Policy Paper -- coming soon

Sprawl Retrofit Policy Proposals

  • Coming Soon

Contact

For more information, contact Nora Beck,
CNU Planning Associate, nbeck {at} cnu.org.

The Sprawl Retrofit Initiative has been made possible by the generous support of the members of the Congress for the New Urbanism.