Local Growth Management Problems example essay topic

Downs, A. (1994). New Visions for Metropolitan America. Washington, D.C. : The Brookings Institution. New Visions for Metropolitan America starts out by describing the American Dream. Many Americans dream about owning a house in the suburbs with a two-car garage and a white picket fence.

The advantage of living in the suburbs is fresh air, less congestion, and plenty or space to raise a family. The problem with the so called "American Dream" is that it is too costly for most Americans. Cities are crowded and overpopulated. The streets in the downtown areas of American cities are too crowded. Most cities are filled with high-rise buildings with office space on the top and parking garages on the bottom. The overpopulation in American cities causes the prices of the suburban areas to soar.

People want to get out of the cities because they are congested. Over the years, more and more people have moved to the suburbs to get away from the crowds. Since so many people want to live in the suburbs, prices in the residential areas outside of the cities have skyrocketed. For many people, owing a home in the suburbs is not an option. For many, the suburbs are too expensive.

In New Visions for Metropolitan America, the author talks about how to solve the problem of America's overpopulated metropolitan areas. He suggests getting the community involved in managing growth by implementing strict building codes, and resisting growth. When the community gets involved, they can pressure law makers for strict zoning laws. There are problems with growth management. Growth management does not fix the dilemma of overpopulation. Also, growth management ends up making the inner cities more crowded.

Growth management forces many people who cannot afford to live in the suburbs into the inner cities. The inner cities then become filled with poverty. When there is more poverty in the inner cities, there is also more crime. When the inner city areas become undesirable to live in, the suburbs are next.

The author does not suggest growth management as a long term solution. The author also suggests forming a metropolitan government. This is a way to spread out some of the traffic and congestion in the cities. A metropolitan government can work to decrease traffic problems by upgrading popular streets. The way to cut down on traffic is to upgrade to timed traffic signals, create one-way streets, and have the manpower to clear traffic accidents quickly. Another approach is to get State government involved with the local growth management problems.

State governments have many resources that local governments do not. State governments have political influence, and the money to pay for expensive projects. Also, State governments can help form uniform building codes. These are all things that can help fight the problems developing in American cities. A different method is to get the public involved in making public policy. This can be accomplished by recruiting members of the community with local influence.

People with local influence may have great resources. The group holds local meetings where members of the community are given a chance to speak and make suggestions. This method is effective because its gets the public involved in solving the problem. Metropolitan areas faced with growth problems must develop some type of growth plan.

The growth plan should offer solutions for growth related problems. A successful plan requires support from the community, and dedication to see it through.