DOT and HUD announce a joint effort to merge land use and planning to improve livability. CNU's John Norquist comments on the merger.
"The US Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development are establishing a "Sustainable Communities Initiative" that will make planning grants to metropolitan areas, coordinate land-use and transportation planning, and promote 'livability' and transit-oriented development."
"Perhaps the joint planning is the most remarkable aspect of the announcement, Norquist pointed out. 'It's absolutely shocking that DOT and HUD did not talk each other,' he said. 'Their buildings are right next to each other, and there was almost no communication at all. It looks like LaHood and Donovan like each other and they set a marker that they will have to meet.'
The key to the program's success will be the metrics used to measure the vague term "livability," Norquist adds."
Thanks to Renee Gayle Brutvan
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