Sprawling Mess

In the 1950s and ‘60s, the “next big thing” was urban renewal. In the 1970s and ‘80s it was environmentalism. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was smart growth. And today? Consider sprawl renovation: retrofitting abandoned chain stores, dead malls, disconnected apartment complexes, and segregated housing shells. Historically, if the 19^th century was the century of rapid city growth and the 20^th century was one marked by rapid suburban expansion, then the 21^st century could be the time to correct our mistakes of the past.

Sprawl negatively affects us by diminishing our greenspace, clean air and water supply locally.  Sprawl also robs us of our most precious resource…time, and therefore diminishes our society.  This time could be spent bonding with one’s family, pursuing hobbies or engaging in civic activities. Overall, sprawl repair is driven by failing malls (Hickory Ridge Mall, the remains of the Mall of Memphis, Raleigh Springs Mall, Southbrook Mall), widespread housing foreclosures (Hickory Hill & Frayser neighborhoods), and the need to boost new forms of investment.  In different types of sprawl repair, failed malls are converted to main streets, McMansions become apartment buildings, and big box like stores are envisioned as agricultural land.

Planners are used to suburban makeovers—what we used to call revitalization and renewal. Planners have been working on sprawl repair for decades, putting forth major efforts to create walkable, mixed use, sustainable neighborhoods in the city as well as the suburbs. The difference now is the severity of the problem.  Over time we have developed a pattern of wide arterials, separation of uses, huge parking lots, and complete car dependency.

Sound familiar? Memphis is a very car dependent city. Sustainability is a method required, but it will take something else as well and that is behavioral change. According to walkscore.com, Memphis averages out to be only 46% walkable.  That change means accepting the loss of automotive freedom and making walking the main mode of travel, being able to live more efficiently, and tolerating way more social diversity and varied land uses. Ultimately, true sprawl repair will require macro level changes, with new financial means and new government policies, but there are certain things we can do to motivate sprawl repair—one must create a strategic plan.