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New survey shows Americans prefer to spend more on mass transit and highway maintenance than new roads

By Steve Davis · October 25, 2007

Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads, according to a survey released today by the National Association of Realtors® and Smart Growth America. The 2007 Growth and Transportation Survey details what Americans think about how development affects … Continued

Responses to Joel Kotkin's "Hot World? Blame Cities"

By Admin · October 22, 2007

This is a collection of letters to the editor of the Washington Post and blog posts in response to “Hot World? Blame Cities” by Joel Kotkin and Ali Modarres. View our blog entry. ———— I’m glad Joel Kotkin and Ali Modarres bring up the subject of cities and global warming (Hot World? Blame Cities, October … Continued

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Hot air? Blame Kotkin

By Steve Davis · October 22, 2007

Joel Kotkin teamed up with Ali Modarres last Sunday to pen a piece for the Washington Post entitled “Hot World? Blame Cities, ” in which they ignore most of the scientific evidence about lower per capita carbon emissions of city residents, placing the blame for global warming largely on the shoulders of city-dwellers, and proposing … Continued

Uncategorized Blog Climate Energy Environment Green Growing Cooler sustainability Urban Affairs

Alaska voters reject "regulatory takings" measure

By Steve Davis · October 12, 2007

As you may remember, Measure 37 in Oregon was billed as a way to help property owners get around regulations that kept them from building that extra house or two on their rural land. The past year has demonstrated to the voters the need to beware the law of unintended consequences as thousands of claims … Continued

Uncategorized Environment Planning Regulatory Takings

600+ people attend Reclaiming Vacant Properties in Pittsburgh

By Steve Davis · October 2, 2007

Last week, nearly 650 people gathered in Pittsburgh, PA for Reclaiming Vacant Properties, the first ever national conference on the topic. The conference was the culmination of years of dreaming and working by the National Vacant Properties Campaign. Over 500 people were registered before the event, but the large number of walk-up registrants Monday morning … Continued

Uncategorized SGA Programs Vacant Property

The effect of foreclosures on neighborhood stability

By Steve Davis · October 1, 2007

Most of the SGA staff was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last week for Reclaiming Vacant Properties, the first ever national conference on the issue of vacant properties. We’ll have some pictures and stories to follow in the next few days, but we wanted to alert you to a related chat taking place on the Washington Post’s … Continued

Uncategorized Economy SGA Programs Vacant Property

Less auto-dependent development is key to mitigating climate change

By Smart Growth America · September 20, 2007

The growing demand for conveniently located housing in walkable, accessible, compact neighborhoods with a mix of uses has been well-documented, but according to research released today, meeting that demand could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation’s carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices. A new book, … Continued

Uncategorized Climate Energy Environment Green Growing Cooler New Reports Publications sustainability

Metro Atlanta's answers for the housing crunch

By Steve Davis · September 18, 2007

Atlanta has been a region typically known for its affordable housing stock and rapidly-growing suburbs and exurbs. But a new study being released in Atlanta this week chronicles affordability in the region and finds that not only is there a dearth of affordable housing, there is a disconnect between affordable housing and its major job … Continued

Uncategorized Census Demographics Housing New Reports Social Equity Sprawl Transportation Urban Affairs

"Perfect storm" illustrates the case for smarter growth

By Steve Davis · September 17, 2007

Many of us watching the last few decades of development in America have been repeating the mantra that the weight of crushing commutes, skyrocketing fuel and energy prices, overly large and costly houses and understated demographic changes were converging on us with serious ramifications and that changing the rules to create more affordable, smaller footprint … Continued

Uncategorized Census Demographics Economy Housing Sprawl

Alarming developments for federal transit funding

By Smart Growth America · September 11, 2007

Ed. note: Read the “background” below for a detailed explanation of what this means. Contact Your Senator or Congressman TODAY as they work on the Transportation Appropriations bill. Ask them to STOP the proposed rule for New Starts and Small Starts and give US DOT clear directive that FTA must: Comparably weigh all 6 project … Continued

Uncategorized Federal Policy Transit Transportation Urban Affairs