Why do some critics argue that smart growth can increase congestion or business costs?

Critics of smart growth argue that its focus on compact, high-density development can lead to several negative outcomes:

• Increased Congestion: Opponents contend that concentrating development can exacerbate existing road traffic issues and place an unnecessary burden on mass transit systems that are already operating at or near capacity.1
• Higher Business Costs: Critics suggest that smart growth policies can prohibitively increase operating costs for the private sector. They argue that these added financial pressures may drive businesses to relocate to regions with more flexible, growth-friendly regulations.1

Furthermore, some detractors argue that these strategies fail to address the underlying issue of urban sprawl, as cities must eventually expand to accommodate growing populations. Others raise concerns that prioritizing medium- to high-density construction reduces biodiversity by dedicating nearly all available land to concentrated human use.1