New publication examines principles of smart growth

The Urban Land Institute's publication, "Making Smart Growth Work," written by Douglas R. Porter, looks at principles of smart growth and offers information and ideas on incorporating smart growth development tailored to the individual growth needs of various communities.

According to a July 10 announcement from ULI, the book defines smart growth as offering some or all of the following characteristics: compact, multiuse development; open-space conservation; expanded mobility; enhanced livability; efficient management and expansion of infrastructure; and infill, redevelopment and adaptive use in built-up areas.

All of these principles are embodied in three themes conservation of resources, wider choices (in living, working, commuting, recreational and cultural opportunities), and inclusive, public-private, multi-jurisdictional decision making.

"There is mounting dissatisfaction with current forms of community development, or with many of its perceived consequences traffic congestion, wasting of scarce resources, environmental pollution, loss of open space and habitat, inadequate public services and facilities, lack of affordable housing, and lack of community variety and vitality Smart growth offers a 21st century path of creating livable communities. Smart growth plays up the benefits of development and change and takes care to avoid and mitigate the negative consequences of community growth and change," the book states.

"Making Smart Growth Work" notes that the principles of smart growth are not meant to mandate what or how to develop, but to "express targets and directions" for development. "Smart growth does not mandate wholesale or overnight change. It proposes to bend the current course of development Specific community priorities and circumstances will dictate a certain amount of trading off and compromising among the principles," the book says.

Following the opening overview chapter, the publication is divided into several chapters that address the broad aims of smart growth development; describe applications of smart growth principles; and describe the collaborative approaches to achieving smart growth.

The following topics are analyzed comprehensively:

1. Compact, multiuse development: Achieving more compact forms of development with a greater mix of uses will reduce the impact of growth on open space and sensitive land, contribute to place-making qualities of development, reduce infrastructure investment requirements; and expand opportunities for multimodal travel.

2. Open space conservation: Development planning to use land wisely and to retain its important natural features and hydrologic functions is an essential tool of open-space conservation.

3. Expanded mobility: Alleviation of traffic congestion is possible only through a coordinated, multimodal approachcarefully selected highway improvements; more efficient use of existing highway capacity; and shifting a significant share of travel to transit through more transit- and pedestrian-friendly growth patterns. Highway investment should go hand in hand with greater public commitment to transit investment and transit-supportive development.

4. Enhanced livability: Livability involves a community's quality-of-life features, such as housing choices; educational, employment and business opportunities; essential facilities and services; and a sense of community identity and shared regional experience.

5. Growing smart in suburban greenfields: Suburban greenfields represent the greatest challenge and opportunity for smart growth. Success in redirecting the fast, furious patterns of greenfield growth entails creating different development approaches; more choices in site selection and project design; and more predictable public guidance of development through innovative policies, incentives and regulations.

6. Growing smart through infill and redevelopment: Market interest in infill locations and non-traditional housing is strong and is resulting in many successful efforts. However, obstacles remain, including difficulty in obtaining financing; designing projects compatible with existing development; and restrictive regulations.

7. Mobilizing support for smart growth: For smart growth to work, special interests must put aside narrow views of what makes communities desirable, and public officials must find ways to increase investment in incentives for elements of good development. Collaborative and inclusive processes that involve goal setting can help communities reach decisions that support smart growth.

The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 17,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

For more information about the book, visit the ULI Web site at www.uli.org.