Settlement, Growth, and Water Security for Southwest Cities - Design with the Desert: Conservation and Sustainable Development - page 462

and the presence of T-gen, a biotechnology consortium, the construction of a light rail
system, and other development projects have significantly revitalized the urban core and
will help ensure this city will be able to sustain itself for decades to come.
26.11 Conclusion
The Southwest has an appeal of character and uniqueness that sets it apart from other
regions of the country. The history of these towns from the days of cowboys and Indians
left a mark on the establishment of these emerging Sunbelt cities. The rapidly urbanizing
desert cities are attracting new residents seeking prosperity and enjoyment from these
urban settings. The fragile balance of the region could easily be lost without an under-
standing of how these great cities developed. The scarcity of water will define the region
and dictate the places where development can occur. Las Vegas and Tucson are in the most
critical position to contemplate the future of the urban area with imminently diminish-
ing water reserves for development. We hope that the people of today will carry forth
responsible development that will continue to serve the existing community and maintain
a viable city to live, work, and play.
In the end, the southwestern cities will continue to grow and develop in the United
States. In summary, we will close with the following reflections about this dynamic region
including
…the good
Southwestern cities have an abundance of sunshine and seasonable weather that has been
a force of attraction for people from other areas to consider relocation or investments.
Area leaders have shown leadership in attempting to attract relatively clean industries
that would provide high-paying jobs and community development projects. The quality of
life through economic diversity and stability is an attractive element of the southwestern
urban centers.
…the bad
The increase in population and diversity has come at the cost of creating more urban
pollution and congestion from industrial and transportation activities. The quality of
air that was once an attraction to these desert cities is now an area of health concern.
The current pace of development will continue to add to the mounting problems in the
region. In addition, areas that have refrained from comprehensive solutions to critical
community problems will suffer the consequences by limiting the development of
the urban center. Tucson, for example, is now experiencing critical concerns for urban
development due to the lack of availability of long-term water resources to support
development activities.
…the ugly
Urban sprawl is creating an aesthetically unappealing landscape of disjunct houses
and developments and human activities. The effect of private development that favors
low-density urban planning has created stains on municipal infrastructure and urban
transportation systems. Also, the loss of the natural desert in some areas around the
rapidly urbanizing cities that are being replaced by urban wastelands has left a landscape
that holds little attraction for the urban or natural community in the desert (Figure 26.15).