Why is urban sprawl currently an issue if the cost of living is higher than it's ever been?

[ksnake10]

I just read an article on CNN.com about "urban sprawl." When the economy is strong, urban sprawl is an issue, but in our current dismal recovery, I don't see how anyone is worried about urban sprawl. Even if the rich can afford to buy new homes, they can only sleep in 1 house per night. Even if the rich rent out or sell homes, they can only rent or sell at a price that "the buyer" can afford. So given that most of the world is not doing so well financially these days, how is urban sprawl an issue at this time? It takes a lot of people with a lot of money to encroach on the environment, and that doesn't exist at this time.