But the American dream of a single-family house on a sizable lot prevailed, despite warnings from planners and environmentalists about potential housing shortages and climate change challenges. Density, especially in housing units per acre, was possible only in central cities. A large percentage of the working population lives in or near edge cities, dealing with commuting headaches and rising taxes.įor most of the last century, large areas of the country developed according to model of edge-city sprawl that few planners and urban designers believed would be sustainable.įor most of the last century, large areas of the country developed according to models of edge-city sprawl that few planners and urban designers believed would be sustainable.
The land-use standards governing these exurban areas are generally different, and less intensive, than those in central cities. are surrounded by belts of “edge city” development that cluster housing, industry, retail, and office space around a transportation nexus like a highway interchange or rail hub.
