The Green Urbanization Myth

The Green Urbanization Myth
Suburban Sprawl and Self-Driving Cars May Reverse Land Sparing Efforts

As proponents of decoupling rightly point out, technology can free up vast amounts of land for purposes other than farming. But there’s no guarantee that this will be accompanied by the decline of urban sprawl. As recent history suggests, when societies become richer, more and more people choose low-density housing and can afford it. Suburban and exurban metro areas are expanding, and may expand more quickly if farmland is freed up for housing or large business parks. The rise of self-driving cars may also accelerate suburban sprawl, as congestion will be reduced and higher speeds on major freeways may allow for quicker long-distance commutes.
by Michael Lindhttp://thebreakthrough.org/index.php/voices/michael-lind/the-green-urbanization-myth