Part Seven, Issue 25 Sustainable Coastal Development
Objectives After reading the assigned chapter and reviewing the materials presented the students will be able to understand: What are the options for developing the U.S. coastline? Who are the stakeholders in coastal development?
Coastal Population Growth Coastal areas of the United States make up about 17 percent of the country’s land area, but they hold about 53% of the total population. All regions in the coastal United States (Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Great Lakes) are expected to grow faster than the national average.
The Coastal Growth Model Three alternatives designs for coastal development are shown in the text: Conventional (Point Peter Estates – page 275). Conservation (Point Peter Preserve – page 275). New Urbanist (Point Peter Villages – page 276). The 3 communities have different environmental impacts (page 277 – table 1). Economically the New Urbanist design was projected to be the most profitable.
For Further Thought A community with a healthy balance of jobs and housing is one where people can both work and afford to live. Local government has to balance residential development with commercial development. With this balance comes the possibility of fewer people commuting, and less traffic congestion and air pollution.
Summary Coastal areas of the United States make up about 17 percent of the country’s land area, but they hold about 53% of the total population. All regions in the coastal United States (Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific, and Great Lakes) are expected to grow faster than the national average. A community with a healthy balance of jobs and housing is one where people can both work and afford to live. Local government has to balance residential development with commercial development. With this balance comes the possibility of fewer people commuting, and less traffic congestion and air pollution.
Home Work 1. How can we have fewer people commuting, and less traffic congestion and air pollution?