What is Smart Growth? Smart growth is well- planned development that protects open space, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and provides more transportation options.
Jan 19, 2018
What is Smart Growth?
Smart growth is well- planned development that protects open space, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and provides more transportation options.
What Smart Growth Is and Is Not
More transportation choices and less traffic
Not against cars and roads
Vibrant cities, suburbs, and towns
Not anti-suburban
Wider variety of housing choices
Not about telling people where or how to live
Well-planned growth that improves quality of life
Not against growth
Sprawl
Dispersed auto-dependent development outside of compact urban centers along highways and in rural countryside
Lack of public space More traffic Auto dependence Longer commutes Environmental Pollution Energy Wasted Public Health Concerns
113 Million Americans Live in Cities with Polluted Air
0102030405060708090
1 2 3 4
White
AfricanAmericanLatino
Percent of Population
Number of Air Quality Standards Exceeded
SPRAWL
SMARTGROWTH
Sprawl Results in Urban Disinvestment
Loss of city residents to suburbs
Decline in business investment and tax revenues
White flight Poverty concentration Increased socio-economic
inequities Repetitive one story
development Commercial buildings
surrounded by parking lots
What’s Wrong with Wal-Mart?
Traffic congestion Loss of trees and open space Displaced small businesses Low-paying jobs Air & water pollution Dying downtowns Abandoned shopping centers Degrades sense of
community Sprawl
Housing
More choicesAffordabilityAccessibilityEnforce anti-discrimination lawsInclusionary zoning
Walkable Communities
Mixed land use Better community
designs Prevents:
– Air pollution– Asthma– Obesity– Unsafe Traffic– Being a stranger!
Community Participation
Build coalitions that include the entire community
– Businesses– Schools– Community Based Organizations– Social Advocacy Groups– Environmental Organizations– Elected Officials– Youth– Voter Education
Schools as an Anchor of the Community
Symbol of neighborhood stability
Attract families to area Bring neighbors together
– PTA meetings– Soccer games– School plays– Volunteering in schools– Education/Recreation
Foster distinctive, attractive places with a strong sense of place
For every suburban big box and urban freeway, there lies an empty main street and a crumbling neighborhood. This is sprawl’s legacy.
Fair and Cost-effective Development Strategies
Smart, efficient decisions Revitalization of
depressed areas Reuse of aging buildings Redevelopment of dying
strip centers Development of
abandoned and vacant properties
Mixed Land Uses
Closer to services Pedestrian and Bicycle
friendly spaces Better use of space Convenient for residents Convenient for workers Convenient for visitors Convenient for families
Different Types of Land Use (Zoning)
Residential Manufacturing/Industrial Commercial Zoning for:
– Community Facilities– Open Space/Parks– Parking – Special Districts– Street Activity
Preserve Open Space and Create Parks
Creates parks Preserves open space Animal and Plant habitat
protection Farm and Ranch
preservation Improved quality of life More recreational space
A Wide Range of Transportation Options
Transportation as the backbone
More affordable More accessible Healthier and safer
alternatives
Build the Community from the Inside Out
Historic architecture Scenic vistas Preservation based
revitalization Listen to the community Maximize existing
resources and infrastructure
Support local businesses
Brownfield Redevelopment
100,000-500,0000 sites exist in the US
– environmentally assess existing properties
– prevent further contamination
– safely clean up polluted properties
– design plans to re-use them
Advantages of compact building design
Greater preservation of space
More efficient use of land and resources
Greater open space Greater access to
services Wider transportation
options
Why Does Smart Growth Work Better?
Encourages greater participation in community planning and civic life
Succeeds economically and attracts businesses and a skilled workforce
Creates more choices in transportation, affordable housing, and jobs for all residents
Consumes less land and water, causes less pollution, and preserves farms and wildlife habitats
Environment
Economy
Equity
Engagement