How Smart Growth Solves Sprawl

Different housing types in The Crossings

One of the worst side effects of sprawl is the time people spend driving their cars. In the last three decades, total vehicle use has more than tripled nationwide as people are forced to drive to work, the grocery store, or the movies. California's booming Silicon Valley is infamous for time spent behind the wheel, but the town of Mountain View decided to make a change. Working with an architect who understood what the community needed, the city and a builder named TPG Development launched The Crossings, a cluster of 300 homes built around a new commuter train station and located within walking distance of shops, offices, and open space.

The Crossings incorporates two smart-growth elements that free people from their cars: access to public transportation and high-density design. The typical suburban formula of one house per acre stretches the outer limits of towns and adds to residents' commuting time. In contrast, The Crossings has 22 units per acre. Thanks to careful planning, residents say this density does not feel confining, because it is so easy for them to walk to shops, nearby offices, or the train station. They note that the parks, wide sidewalks, lush landscaping, parks, and pleasant streets create a feeling of spaciousness. In fact, despite claims that consumers dislike density, the Center for Livable Communities reports that The Crossings has some of the fastest selling homes in the region.

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Photo: Calthorpe Associates