Smart growth looking smarter (Memphis)

from the Memphis Commercial Appeal:



Smart growth looking smarter
Rising gas prices appear to have boosted popular support for a once-obscure planning concept
Monday, June 23, 2008



Not long ago, "smart growth," "sustainable growth" and "New Urbanism" were terms thrown around primarily by environmentalists and urban planners.

However, with gas prices steadily climbing, those concepts seem to be gaining popularity among a larger audience as well.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Ethridge & Associates polling firm, nine out of 10 Shelby County residents support the idea of a "sustainable community" that meets environmental, economic and community needs.

In general, that means encouraging environmentally friendly developments that allow people to walk, bicycle or use mass transit as opposed to relying so much on driving.

It also means preserving neighborhoods closer to the city's center, as opposed to encouraging more sprawl.

More than 80 people attended last week's "Sustainable Shelby Digital Congress," where participants discussed specific steps that could be taken toward those goals.

Suggestions included creating or reinvesting in parks, schools, streets and plazas that can give more neighborhoods a real sense of place; revising building codes to eliminate obstacles to sustainable growth; providing incentives for rehabilitating property in established neighborhoods, and creating new routes for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton said the ideas presented last week will receive attention from his staff within the next 90 days. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/23/editorials-smart-growth-looking-smarter/