Smart Growth

Crafting the Next Generation of Smart Growth Policies

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy spent two years looking at smart growth policies in a number of states to see how well they've achieved their goals. Gregory K. Ingram, President of the Institute, explains the results.

June 8, 2009 - Gregory K. Ingram

Is Smart Growth Successful?

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has undertaken the first significant study to find out if state smart growth policies are achieving their stated goals.

May 29, 2009 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Pedestrian Planning Coming to Tennessee

Shelby County and Memphis are on the verge of adopting a new smart growth zoning code to slow urban sprawl and breathe reinvigorate urban centers. The county's Main Street Mall will remain car-free. "Pedestrian-friendly" is the new planning theme.

May 27, 2009 - The Commercial Appeal (Memphis

FL Growth Legislation Hinges on "What Is Urban?"

A controversial bill on the desk of FL Gov. Crist is touted by supporters as 'smart growth' because they feel it will direct growth to urban areas, which are defined as 1,000 people per sq. mile. At stake is transportation mitigation of new projects.

May 22, 2009 - The New York Times - U.S.

Smart Growth: Claustrophobic, Unsafe, and Bad for Gas Mileage

Rick Harrison argues that smart growth looks good on paper, but in application the density creates a whole host of problems.

May 17, 2009 - New Geography

Capturing the Value of Transit

With stimulus funding creating new transit projects across the country, now may be a great time to use innovative methods for funding development around transit, say Nadine Fogarty and Gloria Ohland of the Center for Transit-Oriented Development. Portland and Denver are just two communities that have seen property values rise around rail.

May 11, 2009 - Nadine Fogarty

The Battle Over Growth in Portland

A documentary focusing on Portland's urban growth boundary begins airing this month on public television stations across the country. It includes interviews with proponents on all sides of the smart growth issue.

May 5, 2009 - PR Web

DOT and HUD, Together Again

DOT and HUD announce a joint effort to merge land use and planning to improve livability. CNU's John Norquist comments on the merger.

May 2, 2009 - New Urban News

Philly Suburbs Get Smart Growth Funding

Last week, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission handed out funds to Philadelphia counties to improve transportation and land use planning in growing suburbs.

April 28, 2009 - The Bulletin (Philadelphia)

Common Ground Found For New Urbanists and the Disabled

Disability-rights activists have criticized New Urbanists for raising entrances above ground level, which hampers accessibility. The 'Lifelong Communities' charrette in Atlanta found the two groups mending ways.

April 27, 2009 - New Urban News

New Urbanists Say They Missed an Opportunity in Virginia's New Street Rules

Virginia recently announced new rules governing the connectivity and width of streets. Some new urbanists bemoan that they may have muffed an opportunity to make the new standards even better.

April 26, 2009 - New Urban News

Smart Growth and Housing Affordability – Round Three

I would like to expand an ongoing debate between Reason Foundation policy expert Samuel Staley and me concerning land use policy impacts on affordability and economic stability to include two additional issues: household economic resilience and wealth accumulation.  

April 4, 2009 - Todd Litman

Washington Not Stimulating New Growth Patterns

For the first time since the Carter administration, Washington is in the position of paying for seemingly everything. But how will the federal government's spending affect growth in California? Not in the way you might think, says Bill Fulton.

April 2, 2009 - California Planning & Development Report

Signs of Spring for Smart Growth

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed on Feb. 17 left advocates of compact and transit-oriented development practically biting their tongues.

March 24, 2009 - New Urban News

Smart Growth And Housing Affordability

In a recent blog I emphasized the value of using smart growth policies to increase household affordability and support regional economic development. In his blog, “Planning Foreclosures,” Samuel Staley reaches a very different conclusion.

March 23, 2009 - Todd Litman

New Director Named to EPA's Smart Growth Office

John W. Frece spend two decades as a reporter writing about growth and development before working as press officer for Gov. Parris N. Glendening. Today, he's a leading force in the smart growth movement.

March 16, 2009 - Smart Growth America blog

Smart Growth Success Stories of 2008

Kaid Benfield, Director of the Smart Growth Program at the NRDC, picks some if his favorite success stories of smart growth transformation, from Atlanta's Beltline to Berlin's Hackesche Hofe.

December 25, 2008 - NRDC Switchboard

Planner Confesses Love for Driving

It's hard to give up driving, even when you're professionally committed to sustainable transportation.

November 20, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

Surprise - Affluent Long Island Hit Hard By Subprime Crisis

Editorial: Long Island is one of the nation's most affluent suburbs. With very high housing values and located by NYC, it would be not expected to be hit hard by the subprime crisis. But it has - and its roots lie in its racially segregated past.

November 6, 2008 - The New York Times

The High Cost of Smart Growth

Washington instituted a Growth Management Act in the 1980s to help the state grow smarter. But recent studies show that the GMA has made housing increasingly unaffordable.

November 1, 2008 - Washington CEO

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.