New Resources on Smart Growth
by
Anna Read
Image source: freefoto.com
November 17, 2009
Be sure to stop by the exhibit hall and pick up some of the
great new resources on Smart Growth.
These new publications are particularly relevant to coastal and
waterfront communities and communities working to protect watersheds and
waterways.
- Smart
Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities – This joint publication of NOAA, EPA, ICMA, and Sea Grant Rhode
Island examines how smart growth strategies can be used to help waterfront
and coastal communities manage growth while also addressing economic and
environmental issues. It
adapts the ten principles of smart growth to specifically address the
unique concerns of coastal and waterfront communities and provides an
overview of the challenges these communities are likely to face and the
opportunities that exist for smart growth. The ten adapted principles are illustrated with short
case studies of coastal and waterfront communities throughout the country.
- Protecting
Water Resources with Higher-Density Development – This EPA publication examines the benefits
higher-density development has for watersheds and water resources. Noting that many jurisdictions
have zoning ordinances that encourage low-density development to protect
water resources, higher-density development may actually be more do more
to protect them by reducing the overall amount of developed land. To examine this difference, the
EPA developed a model with three scenarios: low-density development,
mid-density development, and higher-density development. The scenarios found that denser
developments have less run-off for individual houses on a site, but more
runoff for the site overall.
The study concludes that both high- and low-density development
should be considered depending on local factors, including preserving
critical ecological areas and buffer zones, and minimizing overall land
disturbance.
- Protecting
Water Resources with Smart Growth – This
EPA report emphasizes the importance of coordinating local efforts to
protect watersheds and water quality on a regional scale. It makes 75 policy suggestions in
four main areas: 1) encouraging development in strategic areas, 2) funding
and fee structures, 3) regulatory innovations, and 4) educational efforts.
These policy recommendations include practice tips based on the
experiences of communities across the country and information on
additional issues to consider when evaluating policy options.