Localized urbanization will save Arizona

EMILY REHLING

The plight of commuting in Phoenix is well known by the city’s residents. Much of the time spent by Phoenicians consists of driving across the city, which can take over an hour when going from end to end. This trek is unsustainable for the city’s growth.

At this point, growth is inevitable. Arizona’s growing population is no exception, boasting some of the highest annual growth rates of the past few years. However, a disturbing and noticeable trend has taken its toll on the state, manifesting itself in suburbanization — or the expansion of metropolitan settlements.

Much of Phoenix’s suburban area is spread throughout the different cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which consists of 27 different municipalities. These suburbs stir up a familiar idea — “Little Boxes,” the 1962 song by Malvina Reynolds, which captures the sentiment perfectly; no community is formed by proximity to neighbors alone.

“Little boxes on the hillside, and they all look just the same,” Reynolds sang.

Downtown Phoenix, described by The Arizona Republic as “hiding in all that sprawl,” is the only place in the metropolitan area that has any sense of identity.

Community is best in close quarters, where small businesses are within walking distance of homes and life takes place at every corner. Phoenix’s layout is not made to support these activities; in suburban neighborhoods, life is hidden in “little boxes.” Its beauty is limited to tan and white subdivisions. Humanity’s gifts fall short when they are witnessed through a window.

The revitalization of Phoenix’s “urban core,” as the nonprofit group This Could Be PHX puts it, is what could bring Arizona to its full potential. The goal is not economic vitality — though it could be a side effect — but ultimately, a strengthened community.

Arizonan culture does not consist of strip malls and freeways, as much as the city’s layout might imply. The best of Arizona is only seen in the central, urban areas of its cities, from those of Phoenix, Flagstaff and Sedona.

These communities are alive. Each has its own identity; spiritualism thrives in Sedona, while Phoenix is fast-paced and modern. However, if Arizona’s main priority of expansion focuses on dull suburban areas, any livelihood in the desert will die.

One of the primary concerns that lead to Arizona’s urban sprawl is heat. The idea of traveling in an air-conditioned car is much more appealing than walking far distances in high heat. But this train of thought is paradoxical; carbon emissions raise a place’s temperature. Highway vehicles produce about 1.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases, which contribute to increased temperatures in cities. Avoiding heat by creating more emissions is a failed attempt at finding a solution to high-temperature living.

Walkable communities, on the other hand, offer both livelihood and climate-safe transportation.

With a population of 1.625 million people — about 80% of whom reside in the Greater Phoenix area — this highway-reliant state cannot stay as it is much longer.

Arizona is a unique state. When a place is consistently hitting temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the conditions required to live will be different than in other places. Walkability is a concern in a hot city like Phoenix, but rest assured, it’s attainable.

Phoenix’s heat is more demanding of its people than most walkable cities, like Manhattan or London. However, the state is left with few alternate choices if economic fruition is expected to continue while creating equitable solutions to the climate crisis.

It is too late to reverse city growth. Urban communities cannot be torn down when people have built lives there for generations. Of course, this growth has led to negative impacts on temperatures in urban areas. These phenomena are known as heat islands. But even though damage has already been done, efforts to combat it can be made; cool roofs, increased shade and Phoenix does not have to be reliant on cars.

While high heat makes walkability difficult, time in this desert is better spent with neighbors and friends on a warm evening than in a car.

Walkable communities maintain stronger bonds. Right now, it could be argued Arizona’s strongest bonds lie in camaraderie for sports teams. Though this is not completely negative, it is unsustainable and provides few benefits to the communities themselves, favoring wealthy team owners and imported athletes over home cities themselves. The central locations for Arizona’s basketball, baseball and football teams are in downtown Phoenix and Glendale, far from where many Phoenicians reside. In walkable urban communities, relationships could be formed by neighborliness and human kindness, rather than shared joy for a sports team.

Arizona’s beauty is significant. It must be left untainted; therefore, urban growth needs to be localized. Small urban areas are the key to preserving it, as opposed to massive, disjointed ones.

Strong communities are essential to a city’s success and longevity. In a state like Arizona, with so many challenges, the only way is up, not out.

It’s difficult to maintain livelihood in a desert state. Now that life is growing in Arizona, it’s essential to keep the communities which have been built here livable. Otherwise, the state is better off without us.