"A compelling argument for the containment of sprawl." Jeff Thomas, Northern Arizona University

After examining the causes of sprawl and its devastating effect on our sense of community and the environment, SUBDIVIDE AND CONQUER suggests remedies, and shows examples of sound public policy and good land use planning. It seems that, when presented with a real choice, most of us want to live in distinct, well-designed neighborhoods, with all the amenities and attractions that they provide, and where we don't have to spend inordinate amounts of time in our cars.

SHORT VERSION: Emphasizes the alternatives for reining in sprawl and building more livable communities. It provides only a condensed treatment of how sprawl affects the lives of people and the environment in cities, suburbs and rural areas. It also does not include the history section explaining how sprawl got started and spread to every corner of the country.



Grade Level: 7-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 1999     Copyright Date: 1999
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-389-7     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-799-9

Reviews "For its first-rate script and score, great production values, and useful suggestions, I highly recommend that you 'head this one up and move it on out to your video shelves." Video Librarian "More than merely showing the contradictions of the American Dream in its simultaneous romanticization and destruction of nature, Subdivide and Conquer provides a multidimensional critique and various alternatives to one of the greatest environmental problems facing the U.S. today." Joe Bandy, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Bowdoin College "An excellent introduction to the social, political and environmental problems of urban sprawl...Excellently suited for junior or senior level classes in environmental studies at the high school level, or college level classes in modern history, environmental studies, urban studies, interdisciplinary classes that include the above topics." Kate Foss-Mollan, PhD., author of Hard Water: Politics and Water Supply in Milwaukee "Subdivide and Conquer is an upbeat and down-home promo for a new brand of proactive incentives-based planning, playing on folks' pride of place as they muster the courage to take a stand against the banditry of sprawl." Dr. Ian Wright, City Planning and Environmental Design, University of Manitoba "An entertaining and informative look at the forces that drive development and lead to urban sprawl...Though Subdivide and Conquer maintains a regional focus, the process described in this program applies to the country as a whole." Todd Gardner, PhD, University of Minnesota, author of The Metropolitan Fringe: Suburbanization in the United States Before World War II "A well-planned, carefully developed discussion of a problem which plagues many areas of our country far beyond the mountain West...recommended." Rue Herbert, University of South Florida, MC Journal "Every viewer of Subdivide and Conquer is bound to learn something new and important...it offers its analysis in a lively and informative manner." H. Peter Steeves, Dept. of Philosophy, DePaul University "Opposing business-as-usual practices with optimistic possibilities, this video effectively champions planned development in the West." Booklist "Revelations like these should make Subdivide and Conquer the anti-sprawl activist's favorite documentary." Sierra Magazine