American Planning Association APHA Built Environment Institute The Basics of Smart Growth and Land-Use Planning Marya Morris, AICP American Planning Association APHA Built Environment Institute Philadelphia December 11, 2005

on quality of life in a community. What is sprawl? Sprawl is a fiscally and environmentally unsustainable development pattern that consumes farmland and open space and can have numerous negative effects on quality of life in a community. Penn State Cooperative Extension, Geospatial Technology Program

Ten Principles of Smart Growth 1. Mix land uses 2. Take advantage of compact building design 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 4. Create walkable neighborhoods 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 7. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions

Elements of a Comprehensive (aka Master) Plan Goals & objectives Land use Community facilities Transportation Housing Parks and recreation Historic preservation Urban design Economic development Environment Natural hazards Implementation Health ??? Goals and objectives, Implementation are programmatic—determine what is in the plan Where does Smart Growth fit in the plan?

Five Strategic Points of Intervention 1. Visioning and goal setting 2. Rethinking planning in all contexts 3. Local implementation tools 4. Site Design and Development 5. Siting Public Facilities and Capital Spending In our project at APA we are approaching the issue from the standpoint of: What can planners be doing to create active communities? What information, data, values, and ideas from the world of public health should we be re-interjecting into to the planning and development process? We’ve devised what we are calling the 5 strategic points of intervention where planners can affect change in this area.

1. Visioning and Goal Setting OUTCOMES All stakeholders get invited to the table Discussion of shared values Formation of a unified idea of the most desired future Creation of a broad context within which goals are set and plans are developed

2. Rethinking State and Local Planning Comprehensive plans Neighborhood plans Redevelopment plans

…2. Functional Plans Functional Plans Health services Bicycle and pedestrian Transit Streets and circulation Trails Parks Housing Economic development Schools and campuses TEA-21 spending: Huge boom since 1990 in bike/ped/trail facilities building So many plans, so few address the physical activity issue or health issues generally

3. Implementation Tools Capital improvement programs Streetscape improvements Traffic calming in neighborhoods Transportation enhancements Financial set asides for parks and trails

4. Site Design and Development Improve the pedestrian environment Security, lighting, visibility Protection from traffic Adequate accommodation Building orientation, setback requirements Public art Architecture and appearance Street trees, landscaping, open spaces Well connected routes

…4. Site Design and Development Bicycle facilities Sidewalk requirements Parking lot layout and design Amenities/conveniences for active people Encouraging signage Usable parks, open space Accessible stairways

5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities and Capital Spending Schools Public spaces Post offices Libraries Museums Parks City Hall Such facilities can either bring life or take life away from a neighborhood or a downtown Helps promote purposeful walking Complex set of decisions and myriad agencies and individuals go into making these decisions, Must be made with the recognition that they can either foster or hinder people’s ability to get around on foot or by bike.

5. Siting and Use of Public Facilities and Capital Spending Capital spending priority: Direct public investments into areas where growth makes sense and where it supports healthy community principles Such facilities can either bring life or take life away from a neighborhood or a downtown Helps promote purposeful walking Complex set of decisions and myriad agencies and individuals go into making these decisions, Must be made with the recognition that they can either foster or hinder people’s ability to get around on foot or by bike.

American Planning Association Thank You! Marya Morris, AICP American Planning Association Mmorris@planning.org