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Smart Growth: More Choices for Our Communities Carlton Eley U.S. EPA Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation March 13, 2008 What is Smart Growth Smart Growth is growth that serves the economy, community, and environment Economic development and jobs Strong neighborhoods Healthy communities Transition from the Status Quo (Conventional Development Diagram) Low Density Development Single use district Above ground utilities No parking in rear Narrow Sidewalks Auto-oriented development WIDE STREETS Source: www.urban-advantage.com Implement Alternatives (Smart Growth Diagram) High Density Development Street Trees Belowground utilities Mixed-Use (Residential and Commercial) TOD District Pedestrian-friendly area Median for light rail Bike Lanes Source: www.urban-advantage.com Topics to be Addressed Conventional Development: Trends and Impacts Communities Seek Smart Growth Smart Growth Case Examples Conclusions Life Imitating Art Released Sept. 12, 1958 The Blob (a.k.a. Sprawl) Indescribable Indestructible Nothing Can Stop It BALTIMORE CITY CHESAPEAKE BAY WASHINGTON, D.C. Development Development Patterns Patterns for for DC/Baltimore DC/Baltimore Region Region 2000 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1900 1910 Rate of Land Development vs. Rate of Population Growth 700 Rate of land development vs. population growth U.S. Population (millions) 500 150 400 300 100 200 50 100 0 0 1982 1987 1992 1997 2000 2005 P opulation 2010 2015 2020 Acres of Developed Land (millions) 200 600 2025 Developed L and It’s how and where we are growing that are driving our significantly increasing rate of land consumption, not domestic population growth. Trends in Vehicle Miles Traveled 3,000 1,000 Vehicle Miles Traveled Vehicle Miles Traveled Population 800 700 2,000 600 1,500 500 400 1,000 300 200 500 100 0 1900 1910 1920 1930 Note: 2000 figures based on nine months of data Source: Dana Beach, Pew Oceans Commission 1940 1950 Year 1960 1970 1980 1990 0 2000 Population (millions) Vehicle Miles Traveled (billions) 2,500 900 Inefficient Use of Farmland & Open Space America loses two acres of farmland every second of every day. From 1992-1997, 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 Land Use & Water Quality EPA estimates that over 70 percent of urban water bodies are impaired Dispersed development impacts more watershed area than compact 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. 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 <10% 10%-15% >15% *Approximately 30 pounds overweight 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. Why are my tax dollars going to replicate infrastructure that I don’t use? No one benefits when properties are allowed to remain vacant. Communities Seek Smart Growth Smart Growth fosters healthy, vibrant and diverse communities through: The provision of transportation choice; Encouraging development within existing cities, towns, and suburbs. A wider variety of housing choices; and Well-planned growth that improves quality of life. Smart Growth Principles Mix land uses. Take advantage of compact building design. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices. Create walkable neighborhoods. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities. Provide a variety of transportation choices. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions. 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 Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS Envisioning New Possibilities Courtesy of Urban Advantage & The National Association of REALTORS Smart Growth Case Examples Fruitvale Village (Oakland, CA) Old Town Wichita (Wichita, KS) Fall Creek Place (Indianapolis, IN) Smart Growth in Oakland, CA Fruitvale Village Smart Growth in Wichita, KS Old Town Wichita Fall Creek Place - Before and After Urban Renewal Fall Creek Place 1956 Fall Creek Place 1999 Smart Growth in Indianapolis, IN Fall Creek Place Julia Carson (1938 – 2007) U.S. House of Representatives Indiana’s 7th 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 Well-planned growth that improves quality-of-life Not about telling people where or how to live 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 Don’t wait for a crisis, be proactive Freedom to choose For More Information... EPA Headquarters Carlton Eley – 202-566-2841 Websites: www.epa.gov/smartgrowth www.smartgrowth.org