New research reassesses the current methods for smart growth finance and offers two different 'fixes' for the problem of financing smart growth.
Commissioned by the Funders' Network, this paper was written by Robert E. Lang, Jennifer LeFurgy, and Steven Hornburg for the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech in order to spark conversation and challenge assumptions about smart growth financing.
The paper reassess the current methods for smart growth finance and sketches out two different "fixes" for the problem of financing smart growth. Further, the paper also addresses the history of both finance and the built environment in the United States, in order to put our current situation in context. Finally, the paper offers several case study examples from the Washington, D.C., region that help illustrate smart growth finance strategies.
From the paper:
"The first fix directly addresses the financial instruments underlying development. Most of the literature on financing smart growth focuses on how to improve and reform these instruments. We extend this literature by offering new finance fixes for smart growth.
The second fix focuses on urban design. This is the less intuitive strategy, but one that is just as important to the future of smart growth as fixing its finance. The actual urban form of the built environment can influence whether or not a project is fundable. We argue that there are more urban design possibilities for accomplishing the goals of smart growth than are now being considered, and that some of these alternative designs can be funded with current financial products."
FULL STORY: From Wall Street to Your Street (PDF, 1MB)
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland