Geog 350 Natural Resource Management Tool Presentation: Smart Growth In an Environmental Context By Peter Dale Geog. 350 Don Alexander

Background Smart Growth developed as a response to the noticeable negative effects of the Modernist planning movement of the early to mid 20 th century. The major effects of Modernism were: - Discontinuity of social communities - Spending money wastefully on unnecessary infrastructure and development - AND -

Background Cont’d. SPRAWL Los Angeles, California. Source:

Purpose Smart Growth aims to accomplish 3 things: - Enhance people’s lives - Spend development money wisely - Preserve and protect the natural environment

Principles Smart Growth consists of 10 principles which are usually worded slightly differently by separate advocates, but hold the same meaning. They are: 1. Mix land uses. 2. Well-designed compact neighbourhoods. 3. Variety of transportation options. 4. Diverse housing opportunities. 5. Encourage growth in existing communities. 6. Preserve open spaces, natural beauty, and environmentally sensitive areas. environmentally sensitive areas. 7. Protect and enhance agricultural areas. 8. Use smarter, cheaper infrastructure and green buildings. 9. Foster a unique neighbourhood identity. 10. Nurture engaged citizens.

Environmental Context Smart Growth places much emphasis on environmental issues. Many concepts have been developed to combat environmental damage, each supplying their own benefits. They include: Compact Communities -Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lessening the necessity to travel by automobile -Reduces encroachment on agricultural land and other sensitive areas and ecosystems

Environmental Cont’d. Preserving Agricultural Lands -Agricultural Land Reserve – established in the early 1970s, designating certain areas as prime areas for agricultural production, restricting development -Farm Practices Protection Act – Farmers have a ‘right to farm’ under normal farm practices, leaving them immune to lawsuits from encroaching urbanites Source:

Environment Cont’d. Transportation -Municipal and Regional level transportation plans that include: - transit priority on roads, through bus lanes, bus shelters, etc. - cycling/pedestrian friendly infrastructure - better parking management acting as deterrents to driving, like pay parking or private parking Translink Bus. Source:

Environment Cont’d. Planning Techniques -OCPs, Regional Plans, zoning -Guidelines in these plans like setbacks, covenants, and minimum lot size -Financial incentives to developers to incorporate environmentally friendly features Alternative Development Standards -A better focus on peoples’ daily needs without the heavy impact on the environment (better designed community) Source:

Environment Cont’d. Construction/Engineering Techniques -Permeable surface instead of hardtop - Better handling of stormwater; use of rainwater as a resource -Better building site standards, situating away from sensitive areas and unstable terrain

Environment Cont’d. - Waste control methods that reduce risk of contamination to drinking water supply (groundwater and surface water) - More greenspace, parks, and conservation areas to protect ecosystems and species This 15-unit per acre development plan emphasizes environmental considerations by creating numerous walkways, much greenspace, and rain gardens which absorb as much rain water as possible. Source: Kollin, C. (2005). Building Greener, Building Smarter. American Forests, 111(1), 7-10.

Applications - Maryland adoption of Smart Growth principles including establishing a Priority Funding Areas (similar to urban containment boundaries) - Smart Growth BC – non-profit organization formed in 1999 that works with many groups to provide resources and promote Smart Growth Initiatives - The Smart Growth Network (U.S.) – 35 coalitions and government agencies that promote Smart Growth throughout the U.S.

Discussion Question What are the most pressing issues in Nanaimo right now that Smart Growth could help solve and how?

References  Smart Growth BC. (n.d.) Retrieved October 28, 2007, from  Smart Growth Network. (2004). Smart Growth Online. Retrieved October 24, 2007, from  Tregoning, H., Agyeman, J., & Shenot, C. (2002). Sprawl, Smart Growth and Sustainability. Local Environment, 7(4), p  Salkin, P. E. (2007). Squaring the Circle on Sprawl: What More Can We Do? Progress Toward Sustainable Land Use in The States. Widener Law Journal, 16(3), p  Kollin, C. (2005). Building Greener, Building Smarter. American Forests, 111(1),  Ontario Smart Growth Network (2006)  Maryland Department of Planning (n.d.)  Smart Canada Network (2007)  American Planning Association (2006)