Responses
Stephen
I agree that urban sprawl can have negative impacts on public health and the ecosystem. But is it really clear what Chinitz or the others are arguing? Chinitz is literate and balanced as Fischel (1991) points out, but still, their statements range widely and even Chinitz seems to back off making any kind of claim that he could be nailed to. They all seem to want to cover their backs in case they are called out on something that they might later have to explain. For that reason, I would suggest that none of them are really that clear in terms of whether smart growth is feasible, practical, idealistic, or impossible. Nonetheless, I think the Bible gives us the clearest direction on this matter, as usual. The Bible emphasizes the importance of
In Genesis 2:15, God commands Adam to take care of the Garden of Eden. We are also called to care for the earth in Revelation 11:18, where it says that God will "destroy those who destroy the earth."
In terms of smart growth, while the Bible does not specifically address urban planning, it does encourage us to live in community and support one another. As mentioned in Hebrews 10:25, we are called to gather together and encourage one another. Smart...
…get.
That at least is the main idea. However, I would say that the Bible does give us more of an indication of how to approach smart growth management than the three authors combined do. For example, the Bible teaches us to be good stewards of the earth and its resources. In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to "fill the earth and subdue it," which can be interpreted as a call to responsibly manage the earth's resources. Additionally, the Bible encourages us to care for the earth and its creatures. In Psalm 24:1, it says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in…
