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? Travis takes up the challenge , suggesting that functional and attractive settlement can be embedded in preserved lands, working landscapes, and healthy ecologies.
Foreword: William Shutkin Acknowledgements Introduction: Building a Better Mountain? Part One. Understanding Growth, Development and the Changing American West Chapter 1: The Long Boom of Western Development Chapter 2: Development Geographies of the New West Chapter 3: Footprints of Development Part Two: Making Sense of the West¿s Development Landscapes Chapter 4: The Metro-Zones: Shining Cities at the Foot of the Mountains Chapter 5: Beyond the Suburban Frontier: The West¿s Exurbs Chapter 6: Resort Geographies: Building a Better Mountain? Chapter 7: The Gentrified Range: New Owners of the Purple Sage Part Three: Shaping the Future Geographies of the American West Chapter 8: Understanding the Challenge of Land Use Planning Chapter 9: Planning a New West: Strategies for Creating More Desirable Land Use Patterns Geographies End Notes Index
""This is the most insightful, comprehensive book yet written on land use in the American west. Travis makes a compelling case for planning to preserve essential Western values even as we prepare for an unprecedented wave of growth.""
' Bruce Babbitt, former Secretary of the Interior and Governor of Arizona
""With his sensible and powerful voice, William Travis has written the single most important work on the rampaging growth, rural and urban, that is eating away at the grand and subtle wonders of the American West. Travis puts forth a compelling vision of comprehensive, creative, and participatory land planning that'by activating true democracy'may be the West's best hope.""
' Charles Wilkinson, Moses Lasky Professor of Law, University of Colorado
""As we move into a new century of the American West, we must plan for communities that embrace sustainability in all senses of the word. New Geographies provides a framework for the critical discussions among governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations to fulfill the promise that the American West has always symbolized.""
' John Hickenlooper, Mayor of the City and County of Denver
""While his previous book Atlas of the New West documented, at a coarse scale, the western transformation by humankind, Travis's new book cuts right to the heart of the problem and presents a comprehensive summary of current conditions. This is followed by a pin-point diagnosis of the problems involved in western human development. Travis then goes one step further and presents possible solutions to minimize the human stain on Western landscapes...Travis's writing style is quite enjoyable as he punctuates important concepts with supporting data and relevant facts. He aptly mixes anecdotal evidence with scientific data in a direct approach that synthesizes complex issues into understandable summaries with perceptive terminology.""
' Landscape Ecology
""Environmental geographer Travis analyzes the land use trends of the past half century in and surrounding many of the West's most diverse landscapes and ecoregions. It is a daunting task, in that his is also a diagnostic approach; the work proposes ways in which future development can sustain the West's ecological and cultural values.""
-- K. Edgerton, Montanta State University at Billings
' K. Edgerton, Choice
""Environmental geographer Travis analyzes the land use trends of the past half century in and surrounding many of the West's most diverse landscapes and ecoregions. It is a daunting task, in that his is also a diagnostic approach; the work proposes ways in which future development can sustain the West's ecological and cultural values.""
' CHOICE
""The book is written in an informal style that is not excessively burdened by planning jargon or technical language...Westerners and others who appreciate the American West...will find this book helpful in framing their thoughts about the current condition and future of the West and what steps might be taken to help maintain its unique heritage.""
