Could Recession Lead to Death of Sprawl?

Could Recession Lead to Death of Sprawl? July 14, 2009
By Ted Smalley Bowen Architectural Record

Fueled by programs begun in the Great Depression, sprawl has been the dominant mode of residential development in the U.S. for decades. But the current recession and credit freeze, coupled with high-energy prices, have prompted a reassessment. “We’re seeing a pretty remarkable historical moment,” says Dolores Hayden, professor of architecture and urbanism at Yale University. “When the economy is declining, it’s a tremendous opportunity to rethink this system.”

-Tanya