"The mayor's theory is that traffic is from out of town, not his runaway development policies," he said.

Planners and environmentalists say runaway development is contributing to the erosion of 90 percent of the nation's coastline.

But others take the view that the groups have been a brake on runaway development.

For example, Angelenos opposed to offshore oil drilling and runaway development are merely snobs from the "fashionable west side."

Darkness is falling on bedrooms and living rooms all over town as runaway development renders the view an endangered perk of city life.

It can also slow the runaway development that has led to uncontrollable suburban sprawl.

Globally, thousands of inextinguishable mine fires are burning, especially in China, where poverty, lack of government regulations and runaway development combine to create an environmental disaster.

The park is increasingly threatened by the runaway development on the western coast of Ko Lanta Yai.

Taking a proprietary interest in an area he had helped protect from runaway development, he saw the need to create a strong unified county government.

Residents of towns along the way fear that a better road will bring runaway development.