Anti-urban sprawl croaking

Vincent J. Curtis

29 Mar 21

RE: The alleged urban sprawl problem  Two op-eds and a long list of letters to the editor published today in the Spectator complaining about expanding the urban boundary within Hamilton to allow for more housing.

The Spectator launched a full-on assault against so-called urban sprawl occurring in Hamilton.  The usual tiresome arguments were trotted out and rehearsed.  Presumably, this ideological offensive was intended to warn off city council from doing a wise thing.

The first people to complain about lack of affordable housing and skyrocketing home prices are the same people who inhibit the construction of new housing in the face of a rising population.  Let that sink in for a moment.

Who are the people asking for an expansion of urban development?  It’s the homebuilders.  I am quite certain that the homebuilders are looking out for their own economic interests, which means that in their expert opinion there’s going to be a demand for the new housing they plan to build.  New families want their own homes and their own patch of paradise.  So, who is complaining about “urban sprawl?”  Comfortable people who already have their onw home and their own patch of paradise!

We need say no more than the ideal that the anti-urban sprawl party have is Moscow, 1975.  The workers all lived in soulless apartment complexes and moved around town by urban transit, or walking.  The few cars of those days were Trabants and Ladas.  This is the cramped vision of the anti-urban sprawl croakers.  Paradise for me, but not for thee!

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