[JohnHenryAIA]

Yes, suburbia does not take up much land, but it gobbles tax dollars, wastes infrastructure, creates stress, becomes part of a combined domestic environmental cocoon wrapped in congestion, pollution, and due to faulty planning, induces social and intellectual isolationism, obesity, etc.

We need more mixed use/high density to make America work and live better, longer and healthier. And not waste resources: paving, sewers, water lines, electrical lines, sidewalks, rescue and services, gasoline for irresponsibly long commutes, etc.

We take up a very small fraction of the available land, yes; but we consume the majority of our resources in these areas.

Speaking of which: if the recent scare price of over $200/barrel as projected by recent CNN story comes to pass, our suburban model will become extinct.

[dakine]

Ok...

[palmer]

We need more mixed use/high density to make America work and live better, longer and healthier. And not waste resources: paving, sewers, water lines, electrical lines, sidewalks, rescue and services, gasoline for irresponsibly long commutes, etc. We take up a very small fraction of the available land, yes; but we consume the majority of our resources in these areas.

Those are good reasons not to sprawl, but there are good reasons to move out from the city. My commute is an irresponsible 75 miles each way, but shorter in time and resources than many people who live closer. I am restoring my land to nature, becoming less obese doing so, and am working on getting off the grid at some point. I may be an exception, but this country is full of exceptions.

[bfree]

We need more mixed use/high density to make America work and live better, longer and healthier.

Nice for you to dictate what others need or should want. People choose to live away from crime and have their own homes. If others enjoy the sameness of housing and restaurants and stores, who are you to dictate that they shouldn't have that right. These people pay taxes also. Maybe they choose not to waste it on urban schools, city graft and unionized labor.

[passionfruit]

"Yes, suburbia does not take up much land, but it gobbles tax dollars, wastes infrastructure, creates stress, becomes part of a combined domestic environmental cocoon wrapped in congestion, pollution, and due to faulty planning, induces social and intellectual isolationism, obesity, etc. "
I disagree. Suburbanites pay taxes that subsidize the cities. This was brought to light recently when the San Fernando Valley tried to secede the city of LA. Those folks are being taxed to death and not receiving the services they pay for. Their tax dollars go to support L.A..
The inner city was urged by their leftist leaders to turn out to vote to keep the valley part of Los Angeles, and they won. Why would Los Angeles voters care if the Valley seceded from Los Angeles? Taxes.

[metesky]

Welcome to Free Republic.

You sound like a New Urbanist, bud. I checked your web sites and I have a question: Do you build houses for people with less than a million bucks to spend?

Most of your stuff appears to be way over-sized and garish beyond belief.