Growth Machines

“Growth Machines.”
The problem with a capitalist country dealing with the environment is that it is a capitalist country dealing with the environment. For an issue where a solution is so dependent on individual sacrifice to be solved in a culture where one of the core values is individual gain is quite a catch... The discussion of “growth machines” is at the heart of this issue.
Harvey Molotch used the term “growth machines” to describe the land stretching outside of urban areas that developers often have their sights set on. This land is appealing to developers for obvious reasons. Aside from making changes within the city, it is the next closest region that can be made a part of the city. Suburban housing has always had its appeal, being close to the city, and yet having space to spread out and let your children run around. Business owners can set up shop, and serve the rich white populations that surround cities. The land surrounding cities is at highest risk of being developed.
It is a cycle that can go either way. As noted in the reading, there is sometimes a cycle, or as Kraft says, a “growth spiral” that communities can get caught up in. They are convinced to develop land in order to create more financial support for schools and such, but there cannot be more residential areas without more schools…so the cycle continues. The good news is, that as much as these suburban households are coveted by many, established suburbs already exist around most cities, and those citizens tend to be, as Kraft notes, educated and environmentally aware, and are more likely to vote to make efforts protecting the land. So while a “growth spiral” can occur, it can also be battled because, conveniently the ones causing the problem tend to vote to stop the problem.