Congratulations Arizona ! The new census numbers came out today and we are doing BIG THINGS. (Phoenix: neighborhood, flooding)

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Why is population growth a good thing? Why are congratulations in order? All it means to me is worse traffic, more pollution and more desert destroyed.

even the Willo neighborhood used to be pristine desert....

we are ALL part of the problem

[RomulusXXV]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Why is population growth a good thing? Why are congratulations in order? All it means to me is worse traffic, more pollution and more desert destroyed.

Absolutely. Similarly so here in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Moreover, besides the above problems surrounding this once peaceful little city we don't have enough water to sustain everyone. We're presently on level 3 water restrictions. Population growth be damned!

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

even the Willo neighborhood used to be pristine desert....

we are ALL part of the problem

Actually, when our house was built the population of the city was 65,000. which was quite sustainable.

[ajonesaz]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Why is population growth a good thing? Why are congratulations in order? All it means to me is worse traffic, more pollution and more desert destroyed.

A lot more infill seems to be going on now versus open desert.

If we continue to grow at such a large pace, growth boundaries should be put into place. Similar to Washington's Growth Management Act.

[man4857]

Arizona is growing primarily because of it's somewhat moderate weather (minus summer) and low cost of living. I'd argue, the state doesn't really do much in terms of anything else except pave roads and enforce laws. If the state would embark on a huge mission like investing in higher education, R&D, and scientific development. That would attract huge talent to the area and thus grow the economy in a large way that benefits a bunch of people from children, to college students, to local mom and pop shops, to growing the high tech sector even more than it is now. You'll definitely make headlines if the state does that and instead of people fleeing to Texas, they'd flee to Arizona.

[man4857]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Why is population growth a good thing? Why are congratulations in order? All it means to me is worse traffic, more pollution and more desert destroyed.

I'd argue the policies put in place, the zoning, the sprawliness of Arizona especially Phoenix metro only encourages driving. It doesn't make sense to build a big light rail network since everything is so spread out and on top of that, the voters voted to build/widen freeways instead of light rail (Regional Transportation Plan). With more cars, you get more traffic, no one to really blame except ourselves. It's only a matter of time before Phoenix becomes the next LA.

The pollution/destroying the desert I'd argue is also a result of policies put in place. Unlike California where there's high gasoline taxes, recycling fees, various regulations to encourage more efficient use of resources and recycling, in AZ, we don't even give a rats a$$. Just look at the ratio of huge trucks vs. electric/hybrid vehicles on the road. If you want clean air and less pollution, you need to increase taxes on gasoline (or pollution causing entities) to make people be more efficient and to hammer it home, in addition to increasing gasoline taxes, provide tax credits for purchase of hybrid/electric cars. Until you do that, good luck relying on people to go out of their way to be more efficient, no one will care. This not only goes for gasoline but energy consumption/production in general. But you get the idea.

[wase4711]

it could be worse; you could live in chicago/Illinois...

https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illin...in-population/

[Potential_Landlord]

Originally Posted by man4857

Arizona is growing primarily because of it's somewhat moderate weather (minus summer) and low cost of living. I'd argue, the state doesn't really do much in terms of anything else except pave roads and enforce laws. If the state would embark on a huge mission like investing in higher education, R&D, and scientific development. That would attract huge talent to the area and thus grow the economy in a large way that benefits a bunch of people from children, to college students, to local mom and pop shops, to growing the high tech sector even more than it is now. You'll definitely make headlines if the state does that and instead of people fleeing to Texas, they'd flee to Arizona.

There's more to that. There is an overarching migration trend urban vs. suburban. In the last 15ish years the trend was to high-priced urban centers as the largest demographic cohorts were young college kids. Now that these cohorts are shifting to the 30-44 year-olds the trend will change to more family-friendly value suburban areas... for which Phoenix is a poster child. Over the next 15 years the migration trend to Phoenix will be much bigger than the last 10.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by Potential_Landlord

There's more to that. There is an overarching migration trend urban vs. suburban. In the last 15ish years the trend was to high-priced urban centers as the largest demographic cohorts were young college kids. Now that these cohorts are shifting to the 30-44 year-olds the trend will change to more family-friendly value suburban areas... for which Phoenix is a poster child. Over the next 15 years the migration trend to Phoenix will be much bigger than the last 10.

I disagree.

[ScottsdaleMark]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Actually, when our house was built the population of the city was 65,000. which was quite sustainable.

Tell that to the Hohokam.