Current Issues and Emerging Trends

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Current Issues and Emerging Trends Steven P.
French, Ph.D., FAICP Professor of City and
Regional Planning and Director of the Center for
Geographic Information Systems Georgia Institute
of Technology
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Current Issues
Smart Growth
Neotraditional Design
Sustainable Development
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What is Smart Growth?
Increased Density
Mix of Uses
Mix of Housing Types
Connected Street Network
Range of Transportation Options
Protected Open Space
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Smart Growth
Density
Diversity
Design
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Well-Known Examples
Smart Growth
State of Maryland
Neotraditional Design
Seaside, Florida
Sustainable Development
Curitiba, Brazil
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Neotraditional Design
Form of development that draws upon design
concepts of the early 20th century (i.e.
pre-sprawl development patterns)
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Neotraditional Development
Neighborhoods
Mixed Uses
Grid Street Pattern
Sidewalks
Alleys
On-Street Parking
Historic Architectural Style
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Sustainable Development
Form of development that meets the needs of the
current generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet theirs
needs.
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Sustainable Development
Environment
Economy
Equity
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Benefits of Smart Growth

• Reduced Vehicle Travel
• Wider Choice of Modes
• Reduced Air Pollution
• Reduced Infrastructure Costs
• Enhanced Sense of Community
• Preserved Green Space

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Smart Growth Examples
Ballston (Arlington, VA)
Kentlands, (Gaithersburg, MD
Ridenour (Kennesaw, GA)
Post Riverside (Atlanta, GA)
Glenwood Park (Atlanta, GA)
Vickery (Forsyth County , GA)
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Before
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After
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Kentlands
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Post Riverside
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Ridenour
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Clarks Grove
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North Village Plan
South Fulton Parkway
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Results SG PVP E3 (FRN)
SG Attention to principles of smart growth
PVP Personal Value Proposition
E3 Economy, Environment and Equity
(FRN) Financing, Regulatory, Neighborhood
from Smart Growth Partnership, 2001
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Barriers to Smart Growth

• Outdated Regulatory Framework
• Lenders Who Are Not Familiar With Mixed Use
• Neighborhood Opposition

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Outdated Regulatory Framework

• New Local Zoning Ordinances/Districts
• Model Ordinances (APA Growing Smart)
• Regional Monitoring/Oversight

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Timid Lenders

• Smart Growth Funders Network
• Internal Funding (REITs)
• A Few Profitable Projects

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Neighborhood Opposition
Regional Benefits Reduced Air Pollution Reduced
Infrastructure Costs Preserved Green Space
Local Costs Increased Congestion Loss of Green
Space Decreased Housing Value
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Emerging Trends
Aging Population
Decreasing Household Size
Increasing Ethnic Diversity
Polarizing Income Distribution
Increasing Travel Per Capita
Increasing Suburban Employment
Aging Infrastructure
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Zoning
  REGULATORY PROCESS THAT CONTROLS THE LOCATION
OF SPECIFIC LAND USES   KEY ISSUES TYPE OF
USE  LOT SIZE AND DENSITY  LOT COVERAGE
(FAR)  SETBACKS PARKING REQUIREMENTS BUILDIN
G HEIGHT
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Subdivision
    REGULATORY PROCESS THAT CONTROLS THE CREATION
ON NEW LAND PARCELS   KEY ISSUES LOT LAYOUT AND
CONFIGURATION  STREET AND INTERSECTION
DESIGN  UTILITY EASEMENTS  UTILITY FINANCE
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Innovation in Regulations
    Smart Growth Overlay Districts Mixed Use
Districts Performance Standards Transfer of
Development Rights (TDR) Shared Parking
Ordinances Unified Development Ordinance Form
Based Codes
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Suggested Readings
  Calthorpe, Peter. 1993. The Next American
Metropolis. New York Princeton Architectural
Press. Duany, Andres and Elizabeth
Plater-Zyberk, 1999. Suburban Nation The Rise of
Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream.
North Point Press. Hoch, Charles J., Linda C.
Dalton and Frank S. So, eds. 2000. Practice of
Local Government Planning. Third Edition.
Washington, D.C. ICMA . Kaiser, Edward J. ,
David R. Godschalk and F. Stuart Chapin, Jr.
1995. Urban Land Use Planning. Fourth Edition.
Urbana, IL University of Illinois Press.