This even-handed survey of contemporary urban development in America examines how and why a growing number of citizens are concerned about urban sprawl.Offering a balanced overview, Urban Sprawl marshals the facts, sorts out the benefits and the drawbacks, and withholds judgment. This even-handed, up to date survey of contemporary urban development in America examines how and why a growing number of citizens are expressing concern over urban sprawl. It explains why urban development has been so haphazard, why farmland losses involve the best soil, how effective local governments have been in controlling development, what effect growth restrictions have on housing costs, if sprawl really threatens our food production, how to achieve smart growth, and more.