"Reconciling explosive growth with often majestic landscape defines New Geographies of the American West. Geographer William Travis examines contemporary land use changes and development patterns from the Mississippi to the Pacific, and assesses the ecological and social outcomes of Western development.
Unlike previous "boom" periods dependent on oil or gold, the modern population explosion in the West reflects a sustained passion for living in this specific landscape. But the encroaching exurbs, ranchettes, and ski resorts are slicing away at the very environment that Westerners cherish.
Efforts to manage growth in the West are usually stymied at the state and local levels. Is it possible to improve development patterns within the West's traditional anti-planning, pro-growth milieu, or is a new model needed? Can the region develop sustainably, protecting and managing its defining wildness, while benefiting from it, too?"
Unlike previous "boom" periods dependent on oil or gold, the modern population explosion in the West reflects a sustained passion for living in this specific landscape. But the encroaching exurbs, ranchettes, and ski resorts are slicing away at the very environment that Westerners cherish.
Efforts to manage growth in the West are usually stymied at the state and local levels. Is it possible to improve development patterns within the West's traditional anti-planning, pro-growth milieu, or is a new model needed? Can the region develop sustainably, protecting and managing its defining wildness, while benefiting from it, too?"
Major issues facing the American West:
The region houses the nation’s largest national parks, monuments and wilderness areas.
Population will double in the next 40 to 50 years.
Natural areas near developments have become fragmented, vital wildlife habitats converted, and more subjected to invasive species.
The ecological footprint of a North American city (including Tucson, Salt Lake City, Denver and Boise) is between 10 and 20 times the actual physical area.
All developments create disturbance zones, meaning the habitat is less suitable to most of the native wildlife. The cumulative effect of multiple developments can be reduced by clustering.
The region houses the nation’s largest national parks, monuments and wilderness areas.
Population will double in the next 40 to 50 years.
Natural areas near developments have become fragmented, vital wildlife habitats converted, and more subjected to invasive species.
The ecological footprint of a North American city (including Tucson, Salt Lake City, Denver and Boise) is between 10 and 20 times the actual physical area.
All developments create disturbance zones, meaning the habitat is less suitable to most of the native wildlife. The cumulative effect of multiple developments can be reduced by clustering.
This extract is taken from a review of a book written by William Travis called "New Geographies of the American West" detailing important issues which he feels need to be addressed in order for the West to become a more envirnomentally friendly place to live. He focusses less on the need to encourage more people to move to the West due to a predicted increase in numbers which he fears will destroy the natural habitat of the West, therefore in many ways trying to prevent the influx of a growing population. What Travis hopes to convey through this thought-provoking book is the disturbance to nature by trying to increase the West's popularity, of which we could argue either way causes advantages and disadvantages as to the suvival of the West, if the population decreases, what will become of this landscape? Yet if more communities settle and become established, how will nature cope?
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