Smart Growth: What it's All About

Since World War 2, communities have taken a very different shape in the United States. Homes, places to eat, shopping, places of worship, work, and schools were increasingly separate from one another. Subdivisions, strip malls, office parks, mega-schools, power centers, and gated communities replaced more neighborhoods and towns where these elements were integrated in more complete neighborhoods. Though often thought to be the work of the free market—and there was market demand for these products--many of these trends were heavily subsidized and regulated into existence. All levels of government took part. The federal government provided massive subsidies for infrastructure, single-family housing and other development. States used economic development subsidies to aid mall construction, development of industrial parks and other activity and backed it up with taxpayer funded highway construction to ensure good access. Local governments used the power of the purse to lure tax base away from neighboring cities, and zoning and other regulatory powers to dictate low density single family housing separated from shops, workplaces and other daily destinations. This pattern of development and public policy went largely unchallenged for decades until the rise of smart growth beginning in the mid-90s. This session will describe smart growth, the reasons for its growing currency, and discuss some of the key policy discussions under way that will affect the future of community growth and health for years to come.