Inefficient low-density development - "sprawl" - consumes far more of California's unique agricultural land than is necessary to accommodate its growing population. Yet this is not simply the result of consumers exercising free choice. Rather, myriad public policies from property taxation to development fees to planning decisions - skew the economics of land development against efficient "smart growth" and toward sprawl.

This study looks at how public policies influence the efficiency of suburban development in three key California counties and cities. The report - second in AFT's series, "Competition for Land in America" - details which state, regional and local policies most favor land-wasting growth, and provides suggestions for policy reform to encourage more efficient land use.

• 27 pp
• 1999

• $9.95

A one-page executive summary is available on the Web.