Exporting L.A.-style Sprawl To China

A former Los Angeles City Councilman sees remarkable similarities between LA and major growing Chinese cities and warns China not to follow LA's path.

1 minute read

August 8, 2005, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Commuters on bicycles, once ubiquitous on Chinese city streets, have been banned from major thoroughfares in Shanghai and other cities to make room for cars. As more Chinese drive, demand has risen for their version of California-style suburban sprawl, with immaculate low-density housing tracts featuring large detached single-family homes located far from jobs. Like Californians, Chinese commuters travel farther and spend more time on the road, requiring more gasoline and churning out more pollution. Clearly, California's car culture and sprawl don't provide the best model of sustainable development."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: L.A. all over again

Sunday, August 7, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

Community / Economic Development United States

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