Cincinnati, OH. Photo via Flickr.
Smart Growth America visited Cincinnati, OH, last week to meet with residents and City officials about the many benefits of transit, and development surrounding transit, and why these strategies are important to future development in Cincinnati and the surrounding region.
In June the City of Cincinnati adopted a new comprehensive plan, has updated the Green Cincinnati plan and is currently revising its land development code. All three emphasize strategies that will help support smart growth in Cincinnati.
“Transit-oriented development is a powerful strategy that can help communities throughout the Cincinnati region encourage new development projects,” said Mayor Mark Mallory, a member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council. “It has become clear that there is increasing demand to live near community assets. By making smart transportation decisions, communities provide an incentive to private investment. And, Smart Growth America is the national leader in this area. They will be able to help individual communities learn how to make this a reality.”
On the first day of the workshop, September 26, Cincinnati-area residents gathered for an introductory presentation that featured a broad overview of strategies for implementing transit-oriented development in Cincinnati neighborhoods and surrounding communities and how it will benefit the region. The workshop’s second day, September 27, was a chance for local officials to gain an in-depth understanding of implementing transit-oriented development.
“Smart Growth America is committed to providing training to help local leaders keep their communities livable, sustainable and vital places,” said Roger Millar, Smart Growth America Vice President. “This workshop will provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about transit options and transit-oriented development in the context of Cincinnati. Since the city recently passed its comprehensive plan, now is a great time to assess how Cincinnati can most effectively align its development with transit investments.”
In November 2012, Cincinnati was one of 22 communities selected by Smart Growth America to participate in our 2013 free technical assistance program. Stretching from Maine to Washington State, these communities represent major cities, suburban centers, and rural towns alike.
The technical workshop program is made possible through a five-year Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities, which seeks to develop local planning solutions that help communities grow in ways that benefit families and businesses, while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Three other nonprofit organizations—Forterra, Global Green USA and Project for Public Spaces—also received competitively awarded grants this year to help communities get the kinds of development they want.
Workshop Materials: