Sustainability strategies in North American cities

摘要

Urban areas throughout North America have traditionally evidenced little concern for sustainability in their land use and development patterns. Political fragmentation and a lack of clear policy guidelines from senior governments have combined with the consumer preferences of a largely affluent population to perpetuate discontinuous, low density sprawl as the predominant urban form. There have been few effective efforts to limit peripheral growth and ensure the sustainability of fringe developments. Inner city revitalization through property tax abatements and core area revitalizations efforts have similarly met with limited success. Business incubators, faith based organizations and other community based revitalization initiatives appear to hold somewhat more promise.