Now, back to Smart Growth
Kevin Kronk, Community Voice, Daytona, Florida
Mr. Kronk counters opponents of suburban development by noting how important growth is for the local economy. If growth were halted or severely checked, the economic infrastructure of the region would collapse. “Healthy growth is not a bad thing,” he points out. “The problem is the lack of planning for growth.”

Smart Growth in Somerville
William C. Shelton, The Somerville News, Somerville, Massachusetts
A hot discussion between businessmen and residents follows Shelton’s piece advocating smart growth. He examines the 20th century’s shift to suburban rather than urban development from the Somerville perspective, citing the Somerville of his forefathers as a prime example of smart growth principles.

Smart Growth is Not Green
Peter Cresswell, Not PC
Cresswell asserts that smart growth is, quite simply, not the solution its proponents believe it to be. He quotes another article which states that the amount of land consumed by urban sprawl is a small percentage of the land mass required to support human habitation, and consequently the form of the urban environment is irrelevant to sustainability. Furthermore, he deplores the segregation of rural and urban areas that high-density plans encourage, arguing that smart growth only drives up prices, destroys the growth of the economy, and adds to air pollution.

What the Roy/Brewer Run-Off Teaches Us About Alexandria
Lamar White, Jr., CenLamar, Alexandria, Lousiana
The recent election has inspired the author to contemplate the implications of the public’s choice, just as this local example is resonates with a nationwide situation. Alexandria, says Mr. White, is a prime example of suburban sprawl, as the town has tripled in size while the population remains constant—a problem that could be partially solved by annexing the surrounding neighborhoods that currently remain outside of the city’s zoning laws and tax liability.

Dense Thinkers
Randal O’Toole, Corruption in Surfside Florida?
Though currently teaching economics at Yale University, Randal O’Toole’s roots in Oak Grove, Oregon, have led him to ponder smart growth through the model of Portland, Oregon. In his comprehensive, articulate article, he systematically lays out the problems he foresees for Portland’s current smart growth plan. His detailed, precise predictions for the failure of smart growth and new urbanism have heated up a discussion that is nearly as exhaustive.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized cities and states whose urban development has emphasized coalescing communities and safeguarding the environment. Their 2006 National Award for Smart Growth went to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the cities of Chicago, Illinois, Wichita, Kansas and Winooski, Vermont.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts won the award for “Overall Excellence.” The state’s creation of the Office of Commonwealth Development (OCD) garnered it this recognition. The OCD influences development locations through management of developmental policies and spending, in addition to instituting programs to promote innovative development and simplify private investments in worthy projects.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania won the “Policies and Regulations” award for the Pennsylvania Fresh Foods Financing Initiative (FFFI), which provides funding to help supermarkets set up stores in underserved neighborhoods. This provides a healthy, local food source to needy communities, consequently increasing the attractiveness of the area and fostering further development. It also provides incentives against the continued development of supermarkets in low-density areas.

The “Built Projects” recognition went to the city of Wichita, Kansas, for the redevelopment of brownfield land. An abandoned warehouse district was redeveloped and renovated into a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood now called “Old Town;” 100 businesses and 315 housing units are now tucked within the brick warehouses, which date from 1870 to 1930. The city encouraged private investment via its own use of public funds, rejuvenating the entire area with brick sidewalks and antique lampposts.

The city of Winooski, Vermont also revitalized its downtown area using smart growth precepts, winning the “Small Communities” award as a result. The renovated city center incorporates housing, offices, stores, and several new public parks. The street grid obliterated in the 1970s was restored, with larger sidewalks. The new RiverWalk, providing a boulevard along the Winooski River, also promotes the new pedestrian nature of the center.

Finally, for “Equitable Development,” the city of Chicago was recognized for the “green” development of Bethel Center in the flagging West Garfield Park neighborhood. The Center, built upon a former brownfield site, contains child care facilities, employment services, retail space, banking, a technology center, and, most importantly, an anchor for transit-oriented development in the neighborhood.

The awards were presented by Lyons Gray, the Chief Financial Officer of the EPA. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said of the ceremony, “It is a pleasure to recognize the innovative efforts of these award-winning communities, who are responsibly building toward a healthier, brighter future.”