Sometimes I read something where a mere summary posting simply does not suffice. This is one of them. Part 2 of AHI’s Portland series is excellent. Well researched, clearly presented. Virtually every paragraph could be cited for application to the Central Virginia (or any growing) region. Pointedly, here is part of the conundrum (which I discussed here as well)
Although many opponents of sprawl believe their beliefs are based on a rational and disinterested diagnosis of urban problems, they actions often involve powerful, even if usually unacknowledged, self-interest.
Families who have recently moved to the suburban periphery are often the most vociferous opponents of further development of exactly the same kind that created their own house because it would destroy their views or reduce their access to the countryside beyond their subdivision. (Pages 161-162)
And:
Markets are smarter and quicker (in an OODA-loop sense) than regulators, mightily though the regulators try:
Most, if not all pertinent and related topics are discussed – affordability, growth, sprawl, mass transit, land use, regulations, Read the whole thing. Discuss. Solutions?
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That is an excellent article, and it makes many points I have been taken to task for over at the Bacon’s Rebellion Blog.
It is too bad it was published by AHI because they will be seen as having a dog in the fight. But sometimes you just have to ignore the source and take the argument at face value. I believe this is one of those cases.
How true. Sadly, the source is often so colored that unbiased facts lose credibility.