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Smart
Growth Means
Smart Planning
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“Smart
Growth” was established to counter the suburban sprawl pattern of
development that has become so prevalent across the country.
It not only recognizes the many benefits of growth, but it
defines well-planned development.
The
smart growth approach to planning encompasses many diverse concerns.
It addresses environmental, economic, design,
housing, health, transportation and overall quality of life issues.
Understanding
Smart
growth is not anti-growth, rather it’s about planning for better
and more sustainable growth. It
invests time, attention and resources to restoring the vitality of
existing cities and older suburbs.
An example of smart growth’s community-centered focus is
its “Main Street” approach to newer developments (click here for
an interactive example from National Geographic).
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Did
You Know? |
A
recent New Orleans conference entitled "2nd Annual New
Partners for Smart Growth: Building Safe, Healthy and Livable
Communities" attracted a diverse public and private
sector crowd. Attendees included local, state and federal
government representatives; engineers, architects and lawyers;
non-profit planning and health professionals; and students.
For
more information on this event, or upcoming smart growth events,
contact Gannett Fleming Project Manager
Scott
Duncanson.
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Factors
which guide responsible growth and development include:
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Predictable,
fair and cost-effective planning decisions focused on
strengthening existing communities.
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Community
and stakeholder collaboration in the development process.
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Promotion
and incentives for In-fill development in existing urban
areas.
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Mixed-use
zoning that consolidates daily activities into
one area.
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Wide-ranging
transportation and housing opportunities embedded around
walkable neighborhoods.
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Compact
building design to maximize open space.
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Conservation
Easements, Purchase of Development Rights and Transfer
Development Rights.
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Landscaping
techniques that preserve natural features, create a strong
sense of place and minimize
runoff and pesticides usage.
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GIS and web-based technologies to
provide critical infrastructure information.
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Smart growth
is auto accessible and accommodates and promotes transit and bike
and pedestrian activity.
It also protects open space, farmlands and other sensitive areas; focuses
on revitalizing existing communities; keeps housing affordable; and has a
greater mix of land uses.
Evolving
from the “growth management” initiatives of the ‘90s, smart growth is
closely linked to livable, healthy and sustainable communities (click
here for the "Living Cities" program on Environmental Defense web
site). It is also connected to the New Urbanism movement.
The
Sprawl Solution?
To-date, smart growth has been implemented more on an
urban/large suburban scale, than on a rural/smaller community basis.
But, more and more, state and local government officials,
developers and citizens are realizing this movement’s economic
viability.
Smart
growth practices can promote environmental consciousness by
addressing:
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Water Pollution.
As reported last
issue, there are numerous
ways to improve both water quality and quantity.
A three-tiered strategy enables natural resource-based
planning, low-impact site design and innovative storm water
management.
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Infrastructure.
Smart-growth tools, such as Adequate Public Facilities
Ordinances (APFOs), require that roads and sewer lines be paid
off before developing new infrastructure.
Rebuilding existing roadways and utilizing processes such
as “traffic calming” are other cost-effective alternatives.
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Air Pollution.
Choosing to use transit-oriented transportation or van
pooling; or even bicycling occasionally; instead of developing
in a way that forces citizens to drive will alleviate air
toxins.
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Green Space.
Taking steps to re-develop, such as brownfields
initiatives (see Issue
5), or enacting more environmental
corridors or state-designated growth areas (eg, the Capital Area
Greenbelt in Harrisburg, PA) are important steps towards
maintaining and revitalizing our natural environment.
Individual
Actions Equal Change
The
saying goes “Sprawl Affects Us All”—yet, many concerned
citizens wishing to become involved just don’t know where to
begin.
Take
steps to:
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Become
knowledgeable about land use policies and plans.
An excellent educational resource is “Everyone
Wins: A Citizen’s Guide to Development” by the Community and
Environmental Defense Services.
Request a copy by calling
1-800-773-4571.
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Become
involved with other concerned citizens.
To find state-wide organizations active in land use
policy, visit www.plannersweb.com/sprawl/places.html
and click on your state.
These
general strategies will help you stem the tide and promote smarter
growth and livable communities.
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