Growth Controls, Population Growth, and Community Satisfaction

There is considerable conjecture but little evidence regarding the social contexts in which municipalities adopt growth controls. Likewise the influence of planning interventions on growth rates and community satisfaction is not known. The best predictor of antigrowth policies among northern California city planning agencies is the percentage white collar population and not as recent urban literature predicts relative community status or social homogeneity. The hypothesis that associations between city planning practices and community variables are mediated through local activism is given support. However growth rates are not influenced by growth controls or the social variables associated with antigrowth polities. Further a survey of Northern California residents suggests that those living in growth control communities report less community satisfaction. (authors)