UCI, USC Reports Find Concern on Growth

In a study released last week by UC Irvine, Orange County executives cited infrastructure as their No. 1 concern this year. Now, a new report by USC concludes that Southern California--including Orange County--is at a pivotal time when growth is running headlong into constraints on housing, the environment and transportation.

“We’re no longer talking about when recovery will hit, but where the anticipated new growth will occur, and how it can be accommodated without destroying the very qualities that have made Southern California what it is,” said USC geographer Michael Dear.

He equated the situation with “slow water torture.” Rather than a sudden crisis, the region will be faced with a constant decline in services and infrastructure. That could hinder economic growth and job creation in the future, university researchers said, which could lead to increased poverty and crime.

Patrice Apodaca covers economic issues for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-5979 and at patrice.apodaca@latimes.com