This indicator is part of Efficient development.

Indicator description:

This indicator summarizes research done through Smart Growth America (SGA) by national experts from Rutgers and Cornell Universities. SGA created an index that measures sprawl in large U.S. metropolitan areas, including Albuquerque. The index is based on four factors: residential density; mix of homes, jobs, and services; strength of activity centers and downtowns; and, the accessibility of the street network. Each of these factors has numerous metrics, that combine for a factor score. Smart Growth America is a nationwide coalition promoting a better way to grow: one that protects farmland and open space, revitalizes neighborhoods, keeps housing affordable, and provides more transportation choices.

Why is this indicator relevant?

SGA defines sprawl as the process in which the spread of development across the landscape far outpaces population and infrastructure growth. New development on the outskirts or fringes of the City is not necessarily sprawl, especially if development is efficiently connected to public infrastructure. City development policies attempt to limit the occurrence of sprawl, since it impacts many other desired conditions or their indicators, including higher rates of driving; increased levels of ozone pollution; greater risks of crashes, especially fatal collisions; depressed rates of walking and alternative transportation usage; and congestion delays similar to areas with less sprawl.

Data Source:
Measuring Sprawl and Its Impact, Smart Growth America, Reid Ewing, Rolf Pendall, and Don Chen, 2004.

What can we tell from the data?

• The Albuquerque metropolitan area was ranked better than average in most sprawl factors, except density, which was slightly below average. Albuquerque had the 12th best overall sprawl score among the 83 metropolitan areas measured, ranking especially highly in street connectivity and activity centers.
• The Albuquerque area ranked highest overall among the six other Southwest peer areas.
• Albuquerque scored well above average on accessibility of its street network and strength of activity centers.

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