"Smart Growth is development that's good for the economy, the community, the environment, and public health," according to Geoff Anderson, President of Smart Growth America of Washington, DC who spoke recently at an energy symposium in Central New York.
Smart Growth principles and the development solutions they offer were examined in the context of energy and transportation issues during the forum, as several Federal and state officials addressed the "Fifth Annual Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century" at Cazenovia College.
Mr. Anderson made a strong case for integrating land use decisions and transportation planning in the attempt to achieve effective and sustainable growth. "Land use is the first step in predicting transportation: where are things, and where do we want to go?" he asked. The key to getting growth right is the way we design roads, he said, adding that eliminating cul-de-sacs and building narrower roads to slow traffic can provide many positive results.
We have become, he added, "better and better at building schools that are hazardous to get to," which is one reason why "hazard bussing" is usually needed to reach places that are often near enough to walk to, but too dangerous to do so.
He cited Arlington, Virginia as an example of effective Smart Growth development around a rail line, noting that Vehicle Miles Traveled remained the same in the area despite the addition of 15,000 residential units and a significant amount of retail and office space. "Compact development," which typically has 35 percent less VMT than spread-out areas, together with more efficient transportation, are key elements of Smart Growth communities, he concluded.
Rural Communities Growing
While a third of rural communities across the U.S. are declining, two-thirds are growing, according to Matthew Dalbey, Senior Policy Analyst with the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington. He asserted about one third of our population would live in a Smart Growth community if it were available to them, although there are not enough such places to satisfy demand. He called Smart Growth developments a "business opportunity" in a time of economic challenge.
"How do you grow and (still) maintain a rural character?" he asked. Through policies that promote community-supported agriculture, wind projects that help farmers stay on their land, transfer of development rights, and tax policies that encourage farm preservation.
His suggested strategies: support the rural landscape; help existing places to thrive; create great new places (neighborhoods).
Mr. Dalbey discussed the common approach to improving main routes that pass through the center of many smaller communities -- building a by-pass around the town. He suggested a far better solution is an improved boulevard that permits easy pedestrian crossing.
He indicated the EPA would soon publish a Smart Growth primer for rural communities.
State Perspectives
The current goal of state policy makers is to "stop subsidizing sprawl and rewarding Smart Growth development," said Paul Beyer, New York's point person on the issue. As Director of Smart Growth Planning at the Department of State, he reminded attendees that there isn't much New York can do about local land use decisions, but added "we have a lot of money for transportation, technical assistance, and planning" that can lead to improved local outcomes. He described the effort as "trying to change the whole mindset of local decisions through the power of the purse."
As an example, he said that as a requirement for state funding, municipalities now need to show that new water and sewer projects will encourage Smart Growth and not subsidize sprawl. Incentives are also offered for plans that promote Transit Oriented Development (communities that do so now go to the top of the state's eligible funding list, he said). Mr. Beyer noted Governor Paterson's strong support for the work of the Smart Growth Cabinet.
Mr. Beyer also called attention to the importance of buildings in any discussion of energy goals. He said that between now and 2030 we will rebuild half of our built environment, and that by 2050 two-thirds of it will be reshaped. Citing the importance of Green buildings, he said arranging them with appropriate density to reduce our dependence on foreign oil is the next step.
Clean cars, dirty trucks and busses
Because of our strong focus on tailpipe pollution, America's cars are now the cleanest in the world, according to Rich Kassel, Senior Attorney with the Nation Resources Defense Council. Diesel is now our most serious tailpipe problem, he said, noting a clean air advertising campaign that proclaims: "Standing behind this bus could be more dangerous than standing in front of it."
The U.S. EPA goal is to reduce the country's Greenhouse Gasses by 80 percent by 2050, which will require a 90 percent cut in gasoline demand, according to Mr. Kassel. He said this can be achieved through improved efficiency, sustainable fuels, and reducing driving while increasing mobility.
He also enumerated the goals for the next Federal transportation bill, currently being drafted in Congress, which he said included:
- Creating jobs through responsible investments
- Developing a world class rail network by 2030
- A "fix it first" approach to maintaining the existing highway system
- Give Americans the transportation options they need, and
- Set national goals and empower local communities to meet them
New Fuels for Vehicles
Ruth Horton of the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority discussed her agency's approach to promoting new technologies and fuels that will be required as part of the solution in meeting the state's future energy needs. They include hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, battery electric, hydrogen, propane, natural gas, biodiesel and ethanol.
Challenges to implementation include new fueling infrastructure requirements, an existing vehicle fleet dependent on currently available fuel, drops in fuel prices, and land use patterns.
Government Perspectives
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Congressman Michael Arcurri, Congressman Dan Maffei, and Amtrak President Joseph Boardman all addressed the symposium attendees, bringing the perspective of state and national officials to the discussion. Comptroller DiNapoli focused on Smart Growth investments in his office and the state budget, and the Congressman joined the Amtrak President in highlighting their support for improved rail service in New York.
President Boardman, a native of Oneida County, said the big transportation problem today is a lack of connectivity. "We can deliver a new, electrified rail system in this country, but it will not be easy - and it's connected to the (energy) grid issue," he told the nearly 300 symposium participants. He said improvements in New York State will be difficult because "we have a transit account that is broken" which does not cover necessary bonding costs. There is no subsidy for inner-city rail in New York, he noted, adding his view that incremental, "higher speed rail" improvements that can be accomplished soon are the most important objective now for better service in the state.
