URBAN SPRAWL

Since this Real Estate Blog is concerned with environmental issues and the quality of life in our lovely “Garden State” A recent article in the New York Times bears mentioning. The article is titled “Zoned to the Horizon” by George Hawkins, dated February 18, 2007. www.njfuture.org/Media/Docs/NYTOp-Ed%202-18-07.doc

In it he writes about a topic in our state that is not discussed often enough, called “Urban Sprawl”. I find this issue compelling due to the fact that Governor Corzine most recently made a commitment to take a stand to help the environment and begin measures preventing the effects of Global Warming.

“Urban Sprawl” is unplanned, uncontrollable spreading of urban development into areas adjoining the edge of a city. Characteristics often include the distance from employment to commercial centers, dependence on automobile travel, extended Public Infrastructure and little In-Fill Development. These land use choices strongly affect our Public Health and Quality of Life.

It is important that we all educate ourselves, take a stand and really look at how our tax dollars are spent.

I found a couple of websites that could give us all ideas on how we can help bring about change for the better. Not only as New Jerseyans but all over the country.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) a division of the National Research Council who serves as an independent advisorary board to government is a great source of education and ideas http://www.trb.org/.

The Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/overview/ is a great place to get some additional information on how we can begin making positive contributions to our beautiful planet worth saving.