The spread of the suburb – sprawl – continues to gobble up the landscape and
diminish quality of life. It’s gaining nation attention as evidenced by Al
Gore’s Livability Agenda and now, two major studies have been released on the
subject.
One study by the National Association of Local Government Environmental
Professionals (NALGEP) presents examples of what business leaders are doing
to curb sprawl. It also identifies the institutional barriers, tax policies,
and local and federal government regulations that must be overcome if “smart
growth” practices are to become widespread.
DaimlerChrysler, for example, sited a new engine plant near downtown Detroit.
The company invested $1.6 billion to purchase and redevelop a brownfield site,
which has contributed to revitalization of downtown Detroit.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest investor-owned utility helped establish
the Consumers Renaissance Development Corporation, a non-profit which promotes
brownfield development throughout Michigan. Smart growth practices make economic
sense since its much less expensive to locate customers along existing power
lines than to build new infrastructure.
Two south Florida developers, the Arvida Company and the Pulte Home Corporation,
are leading a group called “Eastward Ho!”. It is redirecting growth away from
the environmentally threatened Everglades back east toward established communities.
The second report is a survey conducted of state and local policy makers for
the American Institute of Architects. A clear majority of respondents believe
concerns associated with “livable communities” are growing and are among the
most important issues they face. Most are directly involved in initiatives to
improve quality of life. According to the survey, the critical factors in
whether a community is “livable” have to do with air quality, educational
facilities, parks/open spaces, and housing.
Download the NALGEP report, Profiles of Business Leadership on Smart
Growth: New Partnerships Demonstrate the Economic Benefits of Reducing
Sprawl: [sorry this link is no longer available]
Download the AIA report: [sorry this link is no longer available]
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