Land of the Free, Home of the.....Sprawl????

Chris McCarus grew up in Michigan and we are very lucky that, after traveling the world, he decided to return home. A few years ago, Chris founded Michigan Now, which is radio journalism at its best. It's the kind of journalism we're hard pressed to find these days, stories about Michigan people in their own words, reflecting Michigan life "...in cities and towns, in settings rural, urban and in between..." with a continual focus on land use.

Just yesterday, Michigan Now did a story on a photography exhibit showing at the Center Art Gallery at Calvin College over the next two weeks. The exhibit is inspired by a book by Dolores Hayden entitled, "A Field Guide to Sprawl" with photos by Jim Wark. The photos in the exhibit show the pattern of suburban sprawl that’s been built around the state and around the country. They have no people in them; they were taken from an airplane; they show the stark, unmistakable impact of what people have done to the land.

In listening to McCarus' fine reportage, I was struck by a number of statements, one of which was by State Representative Craig DeRoche (Novi) who seem to think government should get out of developers way. DeRoche said, "I represent urban sprawl. That’s what the district is that I was elected to. I think urban sprawl has gotten a negative connotation. The positive connotation is that it’s economic development. And then it’s freedom.”

I don't know about you, but I've never thought of urban sprawl as in any way connected to freedom. Given our economic climate, I'd say it's more like a trap.

Check out Chris McCarus' great journalism!

And, then check out the exhibit at Calvin College. Maybe I'll see you there over the Thanksgiving Day holidays.