📔 America's Unproductive Growth: A Ponzi Scheme #391

This article, “America’s Growth Ponzi Scheme,” argues that post-World War II North American development patterns constitute an unsustainable financial model. The author contends that suburban sprawl, driven by government policies and debt, generates short-term revenue while creating long-term infrastructure liabilities. This system necessitates continuous growth to cover escalating costs, resembling a Ponzi scheme. The piece asserts that this unproductive growth has left cities with massive unfunded obligations and creates an illusion of prosperity. The author, Charles Marohn of Strong Towns, proposes a new model for local financial resilience.

https://www.strongtowns.org/ #strongtowns #thinkandactlocally