Current Issues and Emerging Trends Steven P. French, Ph.D., FAICP Professor of City and Regional Planning and Director of the Center for Geographic Information Systems Georgia Institute of Technology

Current Issues Smart Growth Neotraditional Design Sustainable Development

What is Smart Growth? Mix of Uses Mix of Housing Types Connected Street Network Range of Transportation Options Increased Density Protected Open Space

Smart Growth Diversity Design Density

Well-Known Examples Smart Growth Neotraditional Design Sustainable Development State of Maryland Seaside, Florida Curitiba, Brazil

Neotraditional Design Form of development that draws upon design concepts of the early 20 th century (i.e. pre-sprawl development patterns)

Neotraditional Development Mixed Uses Grid Street Pattern Sidewalks Historic Architectural Style Neighborhoods On-Street Parking Alleys

Sustainable Development Form of development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs needs.

Sustainable Development Economy Equity Environment

Benefits of Smart Growth  Reduced Vehicle Travel  Wider Choice of Modes  Reduced Air Pollution  Reduced Infrastructure Costs  Enhanced Sense of Community  Preserved Green Space

Smart Growth Examples Post Riverside (Atlanta, GA) Ridenour (Kennesaw, GA) Ballston (Arlington, VA) Kentlands, (Gaithersburg, MD Glenwood Park (Atlanta, GA) Vickery (Forsyth County, GA)

Before

After

Kentlands

Post Riverside

Ridenour

Clark’s Grove

North Village Plan South Fulton Parkway

Results = SG + PVP + E 3 – (F+R+N) (F+R+N) =Financing, Regulatory, Neighborhood SG = Attention to principles of smart growth PVP = Personal Value Proposition E 3 = Economy, Environment and Equity from Smart Growth Partnership, 2001

Barriers to Smart Growth  Outdated Regulatory Framework  Lenders Who Are Not Familiar With Mixed Use  Neighborhood Opposition

Outdated Regulatory Framework  New Local Zoning Ordinances/Districts  Model Ordinances (APA Growing Smart)  Regional Monitoring/Oversight

Timid Lenders  Smart Growth Funders’ Network  Internal Funding (REITs)  A Few Profitable Projects

Neighborhood Opposition Regional Benefits Reduced Air Pollution Reduced Infrastructure Costs Preserved Green Space Local Costs Increased Congestion Loss of Green Space Decreased Housing Value

Emerging Trends Aging Population Decreasing Household Size Aging Infrastructure Increasing Travel Per Capita Increasing Ethnic Diversity Polarizing Income Distribution Increasing Suburban Employment

Zoning REGULATORY PROCESS THAT CONTROLS THE LOCATION OF SPECIFIC LAND USES KEY ISSUES TYPE OF USE LOT SIZE AND DENSITY LOT COVERAGE (FAR) SETBACKS PARKING REQUIREMENTS BUILDING HEIGHT

REGULATORY PROCESS THAT CONTROLS THE CREATION ON NEW LAND PARCELS KEY ISSUES LOT LAYOUT AND CONFIGURATION STREET AND INTERSECTION DESIGN UTILITY EASEMENTS UTILITY FINANCE Subdivision

Smart Growth Overlay Districts Mixed Use Districts Performance Standards Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Shared Parking Ordinances Unified Development Ordinance Form Based Codes Innovation in Regulations

Suggested Readings Calthorpe, Peter The Next American Metropolis. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. Duany, Andres and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. North Point Press. Hoch, Charles J., Linda C. Dalton and Frank S. So, eds Practice of Local Government Planning. Third Edition. Washington, D.C.: ICMA. Kaiser, Edward J., David R. Godschalk and F. Stuart Chapin, Jr Urban Land Use Planning. Fourth Edition. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press.