Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_5872 ( "city" text, "area 1996 km\u00b2" real, "area 2006 km\u00b2" real, "pop. 1999" text, "pop. 2003" text, "pop. 2006" real )

### Question ###
Which area 2006 km has an area 1996 km smaller than 17.31?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT MAX("area 2006 km\u00b2") FROM table_5872 WHERE "area 1996 km\u00b2" < '17.31'