According to demographers, the Sacramento region will see a population increase of 1.7 million people by the year 2050. Coinciding with this will be an addition of 1 million new jobs and approximately 100,000 new homes. Some may find this booming migration economically positive, but it could have devastating effects if construction of new subdivisions and businesses are not built properly.

Everyone knows that Sacramento State is a commuter school. I do wish I could live closer to campus and not have to deal with the gridlock traffic reminiscent of a scene in the movie “Office Space.”

The idea of smart growth would help alleviate commuter traffic problems such as these, as well as providing protection of open land, renovation of unused property, building up instead of out and a cleaner environment.

The Sacramento region has to tackle the traffic problem. This is because we live in “pod” communities where there are residential, commercial and industrial pods.

This creates longer commutes and ever since the 1920s, when the automobile industry started to take off, Americans have become increasingly dependent upon their cars.

Sacramento does have a pretty dependable public transportation system. The Sacramento Regional Transit District has a 20 year plan in which the light rail system will extend to Prairie City Road in Folsom, to Elk Grove and past Douglas Boulevard in Roseville.

I know many people are reluctant to hop on that L train due to fear of not coming out in one piece at their final destination. However, with the increase in population, greater utilization of public transportation may become very necessary in the near future, and plus they do have security cameras on board now.

Sac State is doing the most it can to help forward the effort of a “smart” future. In the fall of 2005, a new graduate program focusing on urban land development will become available. The departments of organizational behavior and environment, along with public policy and administration, will support the degree.