THE COSTS OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL AND URBAN DECAY

What is Suburban Sprawl? Sprawl is unsustainable development that wastes tax dollars, destroys farmland and open space, and neglects existing infrastructure and community resources.

Schools Workplace Shops Recreation Home Everything is a Drive Away Suburban parents spend 17 full days a year behind the wheel, more than the average parent spends dressing, bathing and feeding a child. Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project

About Grow Smart RI Statewide non-profit organization Statewide non-profit organization Diverse coalition of interests Diverse coalition of interests

Mission Promote patterns of development that…… - Revitalize city & town centers - Preserve historic, cultural and natural resources - Expand economic opportunity for all Rhode Islanders

How We Get it Done Research / Education Research / Education Policy Reform / Advocacy Policy Reform / Advocacy Building municipal capacity Building municipal capacity

The Costs of Sprawl and Urban Decay in Rhode Island Published December, 1999

Rhode Island Growth Trends Population growth = 6.9% Housing growth = 17.2% Motor vehicle growth = 16.4%

Increase in developed land Core: 54% increase Ring:122% increase Suburb169% increase Rural205% increase

Costs of Sprawl Loss of farms and forestland – : farmland reduced by half – Potential additional loss by 2020: 3,100 acres farmland 24,000 acres forestland Infrastructure Costs – Roads – School facilities – Utility lines

Social Costs Poverty in Core Cities

Loss of jobs from core cities

Fiscal Impacts on Urban Centers Lost Tax Revenue – Estimated loss in assessed valuations: $1.3 billion – 1998: 934 acres of vacant lots in Providence 8% of citywide acreage – 1999: 560 vacant buildings in Providence

Urban Fiscal Impacts Reduced property values Increasing tax rates

Fiscal Impact on suburban and rural towns Increased taxes due to: – Increased cost of community services due to amount of growth – Increased cost of community services due to pattern of growth

Other Impacts Increased motor vehicle usage = negative environmental impacts Increased storm water runoff from roads and parking lots Increased auto emissions

Calculating the Costs  Current pattern = net gain of 25,000 new housing units from ,000 units -- ring/suburban/rural - 9,000 units – urban 25,000 ( RI Statewide Planning Projections)

Alternative Core Development pattern 8,750 new units in Urban Core and Ring 6,250 new units in Suburban 10,000 new units in Rural 25,000 new units

How can communities “grow smart”? Encourage growth & development in existing city and town centers Mix land uses Create a range of housing opportunities and choices Foster “walkable” close-knit neighborhoods Preserve & protect open space, farmland, & critical environmental areas Provide a variety of transportation choices

Promote a “distinctive sense of place” through preservation Take advantage of existing community assets Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost-effective Encourage citizen participation in development decisions

What Smart Growth “Is” And “Is Not” Vibrant cities, suburbs and towns Not anti-suburban Wider variety of housing choices Not about telling people where or how to live More transportation choices and less traffic Not against cars and roads Well-planned growth that improves quality of life Not against growth

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