Squaring the Circle on Sprawl: What More Can We Do?: Progress Towards Sustainable Land Use in the States

51 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2007 Last revised: 23 Jul 2013

See all articles by Patricia Salkin

Patricia Salkin

Touro University - Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

Abstract

With almost ten years of nationwide dialogue and experimentation with the legal implementation of smart growth concepts at the state and local levels, this paper pauses to consider whether and to what extent success has been realized. The one certainty in this dynamic intersection of land development and conservation is that there is no one best model adaptable to all fifty states. Rather, to accommodate national diversity in local government structure, cultural relationships of people to the land, and differences in geography and a sense of place, the best lesson learned is that advocates and lawmakers alike must shape and adopt politically palatable policies, programs, and regulations to best fit their unique jurisdictional sustainability needs. However, with the realization that a lot of innovation is taking place at the state level in furtherance of smart growth initiatives also comes the reality that if states fail to continue to promote and refine these programs, the United States will lose the fight for sustainability. This paper examines the recent efforts by states to provide localities with the tools necessary to curb sprawl and to promote sustainable communities.

Keywords: smart growth, sprawl, community development

JEL Classification: H70, H77, R52, R58

Suggested Citation

Salkin, Patricia E., Squaring the Circle on Sprawl: What More Can We Do?: Progress Towards Sustainable Land Use in the States. Widener Law Journal, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1025873

Patricia E. Salkin (Contact Author)

Touro University - Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center ( email )

225 Eastview Drive
Central Islip, NY 11722
United States

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