Blog - Page 135 of 309 - Smart Growth America

Mason, MI is growing from the inside out

By Jessica Holmberg · March 3, 2015

Mason Aerial Downtown Mason, MI. Photo courtesy of the City of Mason.

Mason, MI, established in the 19th century as a small town center, eventually became the seat of the surrounding county while vying to become the new state capital. Although Lansing, located just to the north, was ultimately selected as the capital, Mason has managed to remain a small but distinct community while experiencing population growth of roughly 20 percent in the last decade.

“Mason is a very friendly and welcoming place where people take a lot of pride in the community,” says Mayor Pro Tem Marlon Brown, a member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council. “Ultimately, what makes Mason so special are the people.”

Join Somerville, MA Mayor Joseph Curtatone at the 2015 LOCUS New England Leadership Summit

By Justin Bensan · February 26, 2015

Somerville is one of the most walkable cities in New England, and the city’s transformation has not slowed down.

Learn how the city has helped facilitate this transformation from Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone at the 2015 LOCUS New England Leadership Summit, March 11, 2015 in Boston, MA. You’ll hear how the city and private sector worked together, and learn about new development opportunities in Somerville and across New England.

LOCUS LOCUS LOCUS events

Building great places in the Los Angeles area? Join our LOCUS LinkUP on March 26

By Justin Bensan · February 26, 2015

Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade isn’t the only walkable neighborhood in the Southern California anymore. Photo by LandAinLA.

Southern California is going through an urban transformation that’s making the region more walkable, one city block at a time—and we are bringing together the people making it happen.

Developers and investors working on walkable real estate projects are invited to join us on Thursday, March 26, 2015 for the LOCUS LinkUp: Building the Next Walkable Places in Southern California.

LOCUS California Events LOCUS LOCUS events LOCUS LinkUp Los Angeles

Registration now open for the 2015 Local Leaders Council Policy Forum

By Claire Jaffe · February 25, 2015

Are you a local leader working to build a robust downtown, expand housing choices, or create healthy neighborhoods? If so, we want you to join us in Washington, DC this spring.

Elected and high level appointed officials from around the country are invited to Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council second annual Policy Forum from May 31 to June 1, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Local Leaders Council is a bipartisan group of over 200 councilmembers, mayors, agency directors and county officials who share an interest in smart growth.

Local Leaders Council Events Policy Forum 2015

Coming soon: "The WalkUP Wake-Up Call: Boston"

By Smart Growth America · February 25, 2015

Walkable real estate development projects and places are on the rise nationwide. Over the past year, LOCUS has looked at how these trends are playing out in Atlanta and Washington, DC.

On March 11, we’ll reveal new analysis of which walkable urban places—or “walkUPs”—are changing the real estate landscape in another major American city: Boston.

The WalkUP Wake-Up Call: Boston will, for the first time ever, analyze the different forms and economic use of all land use across metro Boston and rank Boston-area communities based on economic and social equity metrics.

LOCUS Boston Events LOCUS Massachusetts Reports WalkUP Wake-Up Call WalkUps

Complete Streets News — February 2015

By Stefanie Seskin · February 18, 2015

Photo by David Moisan, via Flickr

Read

Take the USDOT Mayors’ Challenge — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has issued a call to action, challenging local leaders to significantly improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in the next year. The first of seven identified action steps is to adopt a Complete Streets approach. Any level of jurisdiction can join the initiative and attend the kick-off summit in DC next month. Read more >>

Best Complete Streets policies of 2014 — This year’s best Complete Streets policies report has arrived! We’re excited to name Ogdensburg, NY, a community of The City of Ogdensburg, NY, located on the northern border of the state and home to 11,000 people, adopted 2014’s best-written policy, which scored a total of 92.8 points of a possible 100. To celebrate, we hosted an online discussion with representatives from a few of this year’s top-scoring communities. Check out the recording and recap of the kickoff event >>

Complete Streets Local Leaders Council Complete Streets News

Town Supervisor David Tennent on connecting communities in rural Campbell, NY

By Claire Jaffe · February 13, 2015

Town of Campbell, NY. Photo via Town of Campbell website.

Residents of Campbell, NY, want a vibrant main street while maintaining their rural atmosphere. David Tennent, Town Supervisor and member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council, is using smart growth strategies to improve walkability, foster local business, and enhance natural resources to provide the Campbell that the residents desire.

Local Leaders Council Technical assistance New York

Hear the recap: The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2014

By Smart Growth America · February 12, 2015

On Tuesday we revealed The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2014, and to celebrate we hosted an online discussion with representatives from a few of this year’s top-scoring communities. If you missed the discussion, here’s a recap of the kickoff event.

Complete Streets Acton Austin Blog Complete Streets Policy Massachusetts New York Ogdensburg Texas USDOT

Since the workshop: Boulder, CO continues to develop new transportation strategies for sustainable development

By Kevin Wender · February 12, 2015

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Bike lanes at the intersection of Broadway and University. Photo by City of Boulder via Flickr

Boulder, CO has ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions and improve transportation in the city. A newly adopted transportation plan—informed by Smart Growth America’s work with the city—is the most recent step toward achieving these goals.

In August 2014, the Boulder City Council accepted an update to the city’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The updated TMP addresses bikeways, pedestrian infrastructure, and regional transit, acknowledging that each has an important role in supporting the sustainability and quality of life goals set by the local community.

Technical assistance Blog Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Grant Building Blocks: Cool Planning EPA TA

New program will help Vermont communities coordinate land use decisions and transportation investments

By Smart Growth America · February 11, 2015

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A street sign in Vergennes, VT, one of the first participants in VTrans and ACCD’s Strong Communities, Better Connections program. Photo by The Selby.

In a new collaboration to support vibrant community centers and increase in town and regional transportation options, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development are pleased to announce the Strong Communities, Better Connections Pilot Grant Program has funded three projects that help align land use planning and community revitalization efforts with transportation investments.

Technical assistance Vermont