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Understanding Austin's Smart Growth Philosophy
- By Jim Olenbush
- Published 08/13/2010
- Local Politics
- Unrated
Jim Olenbush
Jim Olenbush works in the Luxury Austin homes and real estate market. His team sells Central Austin TX Homes, and they are also very experienced with Lakeway waterfront luxury homes. Jim and his team would love to answer any questions you may have about Austin.
http://www.jimolenbush.com
Anyone who lives in Austin is well aware that one of the greatest controversies the city faces is the conflict between environmentalists and those who support urban growth. In an attempt to resolve this issue, the city council has suggested advocating smart growth. But, what exactly is smart growth and how could this strategy serve as a compromise for this divisive issue.
Put simply, smart growth is a form of urban planning that focuses on growth within the city center in order to avoid the development of urban sprawl. As such, those who support the policy advocate for developing a city with all of the following features:
* Using the land in a way that is both walkable and bicycle-friendly - benefits residents by reducing emissions and helping them save on fuel and maintenance costs. Smart growth improvements include adding pedestrian crossings, bike-trail systems and bike lanes on main streets
* Maximize use of public transport - involves making public transportation available to residents at all times of the day
* Making the neighborhood more compact - protects the environment and reduces urban sprawl while also attracting more businesses. Creating compact neighborhoods typically requires local governing bodies to implement codes that allow for increased density and height of buildings.
* Creating neighborhood schools - helps create the feeling of community while also making it possible for children to walk to school
* Implementing mixed-use developments that offer a variety of housing options
* Setting aside areas of land - smart growth calls for purposely setting aside large areas of land where development is not allows so residents can enjoy nature as well as the clean water and fresh air it provides
By adhering to these standards, proponents of smart growth hope to develop a unique sense of community and to expand transportation options and housing choices while also promoting public health while preserving and enhancing cultural and natural resources.
The philosophy is hardly anything new, as the idea started to develop back in the early 1970s as the cost of acquiring land in order to widen and to build highways became increasingly more difficult. Rather than basing transportation planning on the use of motor vehicles, community planners started to consider ways to make better use of public transportation while also increasing opportunities for walking and bicycling.
Clearly, the philosophies behind smart growth are far different from those that have long been held near and dear to the hearts of developers. For example, smart growth reduces the value of automobiles as well as the construction of detached houses. Instead, more focus is placed on improving the quality of life, reducing pollution and developing urban-growth boundaries. Smart growth also places an emphasis on investing in urban neighborhoods, many of which have suffered as the result of suburban growth. By providing better employment and housing opportunities to urban residents, smart growth also aspires to increasing both racial and social equality.
Although many are reluctant to say that Austin is actually adhering to the smart growth philosophy, much of what the city has done over the last several years has certainly fallen within this category. No wonder so many people are drawn to the capital city and all that it has to offer!
Put simply, smart growth is a form of urban planning that focuses on growth within the city center in order to avoid the development of urban sprawl. As such, those who support the policy advocate for developing a city with all of the following features:
* Using the land in a way that is both walkable and bicycle-friendly - benefits residents by reducing emissions and helping them save on fuel and maintenance costs. Smart growth improvements include adding pedestrian crossings, bike-trail systems and bike lanes on main streets
* Maximize use of public transport - involves making public transportation available to residents at all times of the day
* Making the neighborhood more compact - protects the environment and reduces urban sprawl while also attracting more businesses. Creating compact neighborhoods typically requires local governing bodies to implement codes that allow for increased density and height of buildings.
* Creating neighborhood schools - helps create the feeling of community while also making it possible for children to walk to school
* Implementing mixed-use developments that offer a variety of housing options
* Setting aside areas of land - smart growth calls for purposely setting aside large areas of land where development is not allows so residents can enjoy nature as well as the clean water and fresh air it provides
By adhering to these standards, proponents of smart growth hope to develop a unique sense of community and to expand transportation options and housing choices while also promoting public health while preserving and enhancing cultural and natural resources.
The philosophy is hardly anything new, as the idea started to develop back in the early 1970s as the cost of acquiring land in order to widen and to build highways became increasingly more difficult. Rather than basing transportation planning on the use of motor vehicles, community planners started to consider ways to make better use of public transportation while also increasing opportunities for walking and bicycling.
Clearly, the philosophies behind smart growth are far different from those that have long been held near and dear to the hearts of developers. For example, smart growth reduces the value of automobiles as well as the construction of detached houses. Instead, more focus is placed on improving the quality of life, reducing pollution and developing urban-growth boundaries. Smart growth also places an emphasis on investing in urban neighborhoods, many of which have suffered as the result of suburban growth. By providing better employment and housing opportunities to urban residents, smart growth also aspires to increasing both racial and social equality.
Although many are reluctant to say that Austin is actually adhering to the smart growth philosophy, much of what the city has done over the last several years has certainly fallen within this category. No wonder so many people are drawn to the capital city and all that it has to offer!
