Reconstruction of America

America will see more construction during the next generation than any other in the nation's history. Most of it will be the reconstruction of existing places. For instance, of the more than 200 billion square feet to be constructed between 2000 and 2030, half or more will be reconstruction of existing structures. Combined with key demographic trends and changing preferences favoring urbanity, America has the opportunity to be rebuilt consistent with new urbanism principles. For example, to meet the current demand for smart growth residential options -- roughly equal to one-third of all American households -- all new residential development would need to be consistent with smart growth principles. Moreover, more than half and arguably all new smart growth development could occur on existing urban and suburban parking lots, mostly along existing highway corridors that could be transformed into multi-modal, mixed-use corridors connected to urban and suburban hubs. The role of planning to facilitate this growing market demand for smart growth options will be explored.