Can Columbus Get Its Sprawl Under Control?

There's a new study out examining the future of Columbus, Ohio, and the results are a little scary. This growing city in central Ohio has an Atlanta-like geography -- no physical barriers on any side. And if current development patterns continue, Chris Bentley at the Architect's Newspaper reports, the region's physical footprint is expected to more than triple by 2050 as population grows by 500,000:

The planners of insight2050 have outlined four potential future land use scenarios, ranging from the sprawling status quo to an almost completely infill-focused strategy that would develop just an additional 15 square miles.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space remarks on how urban farms could increase housing costs in cities with strong housing markets. Greater Greater Washington doubts that lower fares would help Norfolk's light rail. And Twin City Sidewalks explains how Minneapolis' vast network of skyways privatizes what should be public space and undermines diversity.