Smart Growth: More Choices for Our Communities Carlton Eley U.S. EPA Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation March 13, 2008

Economic development and jobs Economic development and jobs Strong neighborhoods Strong neighborhoods Healthy communities Healthy communities What is Smart Growth Smart Growth is growth that serves the economy, community, and environment

Source: Transition from the Status Quo (Conventional Development Diagram) Above ground utilities WIDE STREETS Narrow Sidewalks Auto-oriented development No parking in rear Single use district Low Density Development

Source: Implement Alternatives (Smart Growth Diagram) Street Trees Bike Lanes Mixed-Use (Residential and Commercial) High Density Development TOD District Below- ground utilities Pedestrian-friendly area Median for light rail

Topics to be Addressed Conventional Development: Trends and Impacts Conventional Development: Trends and Impacts Communities Seek Smart Growth Communities Seek Smart Growth Smart Growth Case Examples Smart Growth Case Examples Conclusions Conclusions

Life Imitating Art Released Sept. 12, 1958 Released Sept. 12, 1958 The Blob (a.k.a. Sprawl) The Blob (a.k.a. Sprawl) Indescribable Indestructible Nothing Can Stop It

Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1900 WASHINGTON, D.C. BALTIMORE CITY CHESAPEAKE BAY Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1910 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1920 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1930 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1940 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1950 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1960 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1970 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1980 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 1990 Development Patterns for DC/Baltimore Region 2000

Rate of land development vs. population growth Rate of Land Development vs. Rate of Population Growth It’s how and where we are growing that are driving our significantly increasing rate of land consumption, not domestic population growth.

Vehicle Miles Traveled Trends in Vehicle Miles Traveled Year ,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 Vehicle Miles Traveled (billions) ,000 Population (millions) Vehicle Miles Traveled Population Note: 2000 figures based on nine months of data Source: Dana Beach, Pew Oceans Commission

Inefficient Use of Farmland & Open Space America loses two acres of farmland every second of every day. America loses two acres of farmland every second of every day. From , more than 6 million acres of agricultural land was converted to developed use. This area is approximately the size of the State of Maryland. From , more than 6 million acres of agricultural land was converted to developed use. This area is approximately the size of the State of Maryland. Loss of habitat Loss of habitat

Land Use & Water Quality EPA estimates that over 70 percent of urban water bodies are impaired EPA estimates that over 70 percent of urban water bodies are impaired Dispersed development impacts more watershed area than compact development Dispersed development impacts more watershed area than compact development Dispersed development can produce stormwater runoff almost 50% higher than more concentrated development. Dispersed development can produce stormwater runoff almost 50% higher than more concentrated development.

Land Use & Brownfields Re-use GAO and US Conference of Mayors estimate that there are over 400,000 brownfields sites in the US. GAO and US Conference of Mayors estimate that there are over 400,000 brownfields sites in the US. Brownfields are typically served by existing transportation, water & sewer infrastructure. Brownfields are typically served by existing transportation, water & sewer infrastructure. Redevelopment helps preserve open space and efficiently uses existing infrastructure.

Prevalence of Obesity* among U.S. Adults in 1985, 1995, 1998 *Approximately 30 pounds overweight <10% 10%-15% >15%

There is No Single Cause of Sprawl Land Use, Regional Growth and Development Affected By : Action of Developers, Real Estate Investors Lending Practices Local Laws and Practices State and Regional Policies Federal Policies

The Paradigm Shift: A Matter of Built and Natural Environments We can’t build our way out of congestion. We can’t build our way out of congestion. Why are my tax dollars going to replicate infrastructure that I don’t use? Why are my tax dollars going to replicate infrastructure that I don’t use? No one benefits when properties are allowed to remain vacant. No one benefits when properties are allowed to remain vacant.

Communities Seek Smart Growth The provision of transportation choice; The provision of transportation choice; Encouraging development within existing cities, towns, and suburbs. Encouraging development within existing cities, towns, and suburbs. A wider variety of housing choices; and A wider variety of housing choices; and Well-planned growth that improves quality of life. Well-planned growth that improves quality of life. Smart Growth fosters healthy, vibrant and diverse communities through:

Smart Growth Principles Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities. Provide a variety of transportation choices. Provide a variety of transportation choices. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. Mix land uses. Mix land uses. Take advantage of compact building design. Take advantage of compact building design. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices. Create walkable neighborhoods. Create walkable neighborhoods. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.

Once Upon a Time…. Development was Designed to be “Dense” and “Appalling”. Pruitt-Igoe – St. Louis, MO (1950s) Cabrini-Green – Chicago, IL (1999)

Development can be Designed to be “Dense” and “Appealing”!! Gentlemen, we can rebuild him... we have the technology. We have the capability... © © Harve Bennett Productions, Silverton Productions Inc., Universal TV

Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS

Smart Growth Case Examples Fruitvale Village (Oakland, CA) Fruitvale Village (Oakland, CA) Old Town Wichita (Wichita, KS) Old Town Wichita (Wichita, KS) Fall Creek Place (Indianapolis, IN) Fall Creek Place (Indianapolis, IN)

Smart Growth in Oakland, CA Fruitvale Village

Smart Growth in Wichita, KS Old Town Wichita

Fall Creek Place 1956 Fall Creek Place 1999 Fall Creek Place - - Before and After Urban Renewal

Smart Growth in Indianapolis, IN Fall Creek Place

Julia Carson (1938 – 2007) U.S. House of Representatives Indiana’s 7 th Congressional District

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

Conclusions “The greatness of a city depends not alone upon great boundaries or a multitude of inhabitants but upon the probity and industry of its citizens.” City Hall of Kansas City, Missouri The secret to smart growth The secret to smart growth Don’t wait for a crisis, be proactive Don’t wait for a crisis, be proactive Freedom to choose Freedom to choose

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