Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Suburbia

New Video Series Tells the Story of Sprawl

As livable streets advocates work to make headway in breaking the cycle of American auto dependence, the folks at Planetizen have put together a video narrative that explains how we got here. "The Story of Sprawl," a double DVD set produced by Managing Editor Tim Halbur, is a compilation of historical films dating from 1939 to 1965, documenting the confluence of factors that fostered the quintessential land use motif of the 20th century: far-flung, low-density, driving-intensive residential and commercial development. The discs include commentary from planning notables including Andrés Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, John Norquist, Neal Peirce, James Howard Kunstler and Robert Cervero, featured in the clip above.

"The Story of Sprawl" is available now. Check the Planetizen promo page for more clips and ordering info.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Pomona Is Becoming Bike-Friendly

Pomona has made a point of going above and beyond the basic minimums for safer streets, including bikeabilty, walkability, accessibility, and transit improvements

November 4, 2025

This Week In Livable Streets

Tuesday is Election Day! Plus Metro meetings and more.

November 4, 2025

Active Streets Corazón del Valle Open Thread

Thousands of participants enjoyed car-free streets through the cities of South El Monte and El Monte

November 3, 2025
See all posts