Almost 30 years ago, Harvey Molotch published his piece on the "City as a Growth Machine". This is a foundational article that explains how and why cities function to increase the value of land:
http://nw-ar.com/face/molotch.html

To take away "growth" from cities would be to turn over 100 years of urban history on its head. The growth machine explanation is consistent with Smart Growth insofar as smart growth allocates growing land values to space within the city rather than on the perimeter and beyond. To the extent that the elites in any city have a personal stake in land near the center, they will support proposals to intensify land uses (and values) within the city rather than the periphery.

Also, thanks to Glenn for posting on this topic!

Pssst, Sololeum, you aren't saying that the emperor of growth should be walking around bare assed and exposed, now are you?

Are you unaware that the plebes have not the sophistication to appreciate the finer nuances of imaginary fabrics?

Sololeum - I agree completely with your observation. There is nothing beautiful or profitable in our "blessed way of life," to quote Cheney. On the contrary. We need to learn how to live in harmony with all the other species on the earth and with each other. Our frantic going and coming, purchasing and selling, digging and filling needs to be recorded and stored in a cosmic cautionary tale of how not to generate happiness. Global hyperactivity syndrome, anyone?

Why does it have to be "wrapped" in talk of growth?

Because, while it may qualify as courageous, talking about a development system that fails to deliver increased economic value as also fruitless.

Unless a replacement system for the material-expansive property development system is able to grow economic value, it will not be reproduced across the country and therefore will not offer any benefit to anybody.

I also agree with Sololeum. The only way to have continual sustainable growth would be have continual efficiency gains at the same rate. Unfortunately, this type of scenario cannot be sustained for long as you cannot become more than 100% efficient.

In other words, infinite growth will be blocked by the wall at 100% efficiency.