US population growth and sprawl

[anglocon]

Are any of the US citizens here concerned about the rapid population growth and urban sprawl that is happening in that country?

The US Census department estimates that the population is growing at 2.8 million a year and shows no sign of abaiting. Land is being chewed up at the rate of 9 sq miles every DAY.

Steve lives in Las Vegas which is estimated to grow from 2 million citizens to 4 million by 2025 tarmacing over countless acres of desert habitat and he seems happy with that because he can get a good price on his house when he moved a few years ago.

A look on Google Earth seems to show nothing but constant urban sprawl right the way down the eastern seaboard with eastern Massachussets looking like nothing more than a continuous suburb.

I am in Britain so I was wondering if anyone had the mood gauged over there.

[Dan.Linehan]

The mood I generally see is basically one of two outlooks.


"OMG, Gas is expensive! Frickin Arabs!!"

or

"ZOMG, Gas is expensive! Frickin Bush!!"


If you mean moods on increases in population specifically, I'm guessing most people would blame that issue (and rightfully so) on Illegal Immigration.

But urban sprawl? People don't worry about urban sprawl too much that I've seen. There is plenty of extra land.

[Restrikted]

I'm pretty sure less than 10% of US land is developed, however I couldn't find an exact statistic of that. So no, I'm not worried. As for Dan Linehan, You shouldn't be saying "frickin Arabs" or "frickin Bush," what most people don't know is that you should be saying "frickin SPECULATORS." The whole reason the price of oil is rising is because people think it will rise. Self-fulfilling prophecy.

[anglocon]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

If you mean moods on increases in population specifically, I'm guessing most people would blame that issue (and rightfully so) on Illegal Immigration.

People here don't worry about urban sprawl much though in general. There is plenty of extra land.

Would they be putting the blame in the right place though. According to Wikipedia in 2006 there were 14 births per 1000 people and 8 deaths per thousand. Immigration is placed at 800,000 legal immigrants and 1 million illegals per annum. So illegal immigrants are only a third of the growth.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture puts the amount of farmland lost every year at 2.2 million acres. With global food shortages already and a projected 3 billion mouths to feed over the next forty years, surely the loss of 80 million acres of prime farmland between now and 2010 in a stable country with dependable harvests is something to be concerned about?

[supertom]

whats the reason for las vegas growth?? even with the housing crisis

[mlc82]

Unfortunately, the masses here in the US are too busy watching "reality shows" and celebrity news to care about even remotely important issues.

[escapee]

what most people don't know is that you should be saying "frickin SPECULATORS." The whole reason the price of oil is rising is because people think it will rise. Self-fulfilling prophecy.

THis is why the fed created a deflated CPI to reduce the inflation expectation. It worked for a while but then you can never beat the fundamental of economy in the long run. We have oil demand from the so-called speculators ( eg : airlines, commercial sectors all over the world) surpasses the production of oil, therefore the price increase of oil is inevitable. The so called speculators are merely messengers that tell us the future supply of oil will be tight for some time.

Do you expect the airlines or shipping companies all over the world to not hedge on future contract of oil as fast as there can to reduce the cost ? no way.. They are going hedge big time and cause the price to spike further. they are going to do that until we have a super large oil inventory, a second worldwide great depression ( tight money creation ) or a complete demand destruction with alternatives. Say goodbye to cheap oil.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

In Texas, we have so much open space that it's hard to think "wow, we are going to run out of land." But when I see new subdivisions popping up, centered around giant outdoor malls, I do start to think that there has to be a simpler way of life.

I don't really think that the US will run out of land soon, but I do think that we could better take care of what we have.

[Ree]

I second the idea that illegal immigration is the culprit in the US. I have to question the numbers quoted by another poster, because who can really count illegal immigrants?? I live in the southeast where it's a huge problem. In my area I would say it has definitely accounted for more than 1/3 of the population growth.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Ree

I second the idea that illegal immigration is the culprit in the US. I have to question the numbers quoted by another poster, because who can really count illegal immigrants?? I live in the southeast where it's a huge problem. In my area I would say it has definitely accounted for more than 1/3 of the population growth.

But, how can you tell? By how they look? Or the language they speak?

[jetpack]

The culprit for suburban sprawl was cheap gas. It's not a problem as much anymore, so I think the growth rate on sprawl will quickly diminish.

As others say, there is still lots of land. I'm a few hours out of NYC, and it's nothing but farms and trees.

[anglocon]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

In Texas, we have so much open space that it's hard to think "wow, we are going to run out of land." But when I see new subdivisions popping up, centered around giant outdoor malls, I do start to think that there has to be a simpler way of life.

I don't really think that the US will run out of land soon, but I do think that we could better take care of what we have.

Great point. Thing is small communities of a few hundred to a few thousand with their own little community spirit which were outside the metro areas just 20 years ago are simply run over and turned into bland suburbs.

Just looking at Google Earth everyone has got a detached house, stairs seem to be completely out of fashion :-). If suburbs were a lot better planned using condos and the like, then property might be more affordable and people might be able to get out of their cars.

As it stands in Texas, Houston does'nt even have any zoning regulations ...

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by anglocon

As it stands in Texas, Houston does'nt even have any zoning regulations ...

Houston is a hot mess and a half.

[Ree]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

But, how can you tell? By how they look? Or the language they speak?

What I know from teachers in our area schools, from nurses, physicians, etc., at area hospitals (mine is a major medical community), from friends of mine who own businesses who try to employ folks and cannot because they're not legal residents, as well as friends who DO employ them in spite of that fact.

I volunteer with a group who helps provide groceries and monetary assistance to those needing help to pay for utility bills. Our board recently addressed a complaint that we help folks who are not legal residents. The board's decision is to continue to do just that.

There are several other avenues of information that come from our local and state government agencies.

I don't make a habit of determining someone's residency status based on their appearance or the language they speak.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by Ree

I don't make a habit of determining someone's residency status based on their appearance or the language they speak.

Ree, I am really sorry that I asked that with the assumption that you would do such a thing. I can see that the question was really an accusation. That was unfair. Every interaction with you has led me to believe nothing but the best about you. You are one of my favorite posters and always give sound advice. Not that it's an excuse, but I have been pretty shocked before at people I know to be great people whose reasoning is basically based on skin color or language.

I have a very different view on illegal immigration than pretty much everyone I know so I tend to get very sensitive about this subject, being very much on the "unpopular side" of the topic. I hope you will accept my sincere apology.

[anglocon]

Originally Posted by {aspiring_to_clarity}

Houston is a hot mess and a half.

Are you familiar with Houston yourself aspiring_to_clarity? I have not been there but from Google Earth it looks like a mess, there are huge gaps everywhere and different land uses all jumbled up together.

Just wondering if you have any experience of it on the ground.

[anglocon]

Originally Posted by Ree

I volunteer with a group who helps provide groceries and monetary assistance to those needing help to pay for utility bills. Our board recently addressed a complaint that we help folks who are not legal residents. The board's decision is to continue to do just that.

Hi Ree, from your experience with your group how have you found that illegals fare with finding work and keeping their heads above water?

Here in the UK there is such tight legislation now that they often end up in the rough hands of unscrupulous gang masters who work them twelve hours a day and deduct enormous amounts from their wages for food and lodging.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by anglocon

Are you familiar with Houston yourself aspiring_to_clarity? I have not been there but from Google Earth it looks like a mess, there are huge gaps everywhere and different land uses all jumbled up together.

Just wondering if you have any experience of it on the ground.

I live in Texas, and I avoid Houston whenever possible. I can't stand driving there. Things may have improved since I haven't been in a few years.