The purpose of this study is to analyze the primary reasons states in the American Southwest, primarily Utah, should focus on investing in sustainable city and community developments for the foreseeable future. Utah is in a unique position to provide a valuable case study for sustainable cities because of it’s geography, population growth, political landscape, and current built environment. In order to fully illustrate why sustainable urban development is essential for the future of Utah, this study will provide in-depth data on growth, climate change, urban sprawl, and quality of life specifically as it applies to Utah. Additionally, while data is necessary to prove the need for investment in sustainable cities, it is equally important to understand how these developments will be perceived by the public. Interviews with executives from two new, innovative cities in Utah will demonstrate various ways to approach such massive undertakings. Both cities have many elements that will make them significantly more sustainable than any other city in the state and are designed to provide residents with a much higher quality of life. Finally, data from a state-wide survey will be presented in order to encapsulate the all-important public opinion from residents in a variety of segments in Utah. This survey was created specifically to understand how Utahans would prefer to see growth continue in the state while educating residents on the advantages and disadvantages of various developmental techniques.