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NEW RESOURCES

	The Obama Urban Vision: Can It Come To Pass?
	Smart Growth Guidelines for Sustainable Design & Development
	Global Environmental Change and Human Security
	Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2010 Benchmarking Report
	Climate Neutral Research Campuses

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DATEBOOK
2/11/2010 Smart Growth Speaker Series: Urban Green--Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities
Speakers Audio Archive
Other Smart Growth Events: 2/10/2010: Wind Power Finance & Investment 2/23/2010: Creating our own Champs-Elysées: SPUR Young Urbanists and Next American City take on Market Street

NEW RESOURCES

The Obama Urban Vision: Can It Come To Pass?

An Indianapolis-area ex-CEO of a hospital group called me the other day — not about health care policy, but rather regional planning in central Indiana. He wasn’t interested in some way to force unified regional government — to expand the geographic scope of Indianapolis’ Unigov system, which Dick Lugar (now Indiana’s senior senator) founded in 1969-70 and I later led as mayor for 16 years. This ex-CEO’s concern was different: How do we get the region’s top players on the same page when it comes to such critical issues as land use, transportation and housing.

The call was heartening because it demonstrated to me how America’s business leaders are starting to grasp that in this new, mobile, wired age of ours, boundary lines are relatively meaningless and obsolete. And that some are willing to take the lead to create new ways of approaching regional problems–quite far ahead of most political leaders, I might add, who too often are little more than self-protecting institutionalists, or so rigidly ideological that pragmatism has fled them.

But the new light’s not just coming from business leaders. President Obama "gets it," even though between understanding and implementation, between the cup and the lip, slips can occur and good ideas can die. But in remarks made to a delegation of the U.S. Conference of Mayors last week, the President talked about the importance of rebuilding and revitalizing our cities and metropolitan areas. This was not a point he made in his State of the Union address, having other pressing matters he had to deal with. But to the mayors he did outline his administration’s urban vision of creating "economically competitive, environmentally sustainable, opportunity rich communities that serve as the backbone for our long term growth and prosperity."

The president outlined three important components of the strategy, which will be backed up with dollars in the new budget he presents in a few weeks. First, "build strong regional backbones for our economy by coordinating federal investment in economic and workforce development." He pointed out that what’s good for a central city is also good for the region: "Today’s metropolitan areas don’t stop at downtown." A strong Denver means a strong Aurora and Boulder in Colorado, he said. "Strong cities are the building blocks for strong regions, and strong regions are essential for a strong America."

Second, the president talked of creating livable, sustainable communities through smart growth policies that discourage sprawl, congestion and pollution: "When it comes to development, it’s time to throw out old policies" that lead to sprawl and the isolation of communities from each other. "We need strategies that encourage smart development linked to quality transportation that bring our communities together." And he pledged partnership between federal agencies (HUD, EPA and DOT) and cities so that "when it comes to development, housing, energy and transportation policies go hand in hand." He commented to applause that "we will build on the successful TIGER ("transportation investment generating economic recovery") discretionary grants to 'put people to work and help our cities rebuild their roads, their bridges, train stations and water systems.'" (In the same week he announced his $8 billion federal high-speed rail grants–also a plus for connected metro areas.)

A third administration strategy, the president told the mayors, is to "create neighborhoods of opportunity." He acknowledged that the causes of economic distress in many neighborhoods are "deeply rooted and complicated," but he also spoke of "simple" things that could address neighborhood needs: "access to good jobs, affordable housing, convenient transportation that connects both, quality schools, health services, safe streets and parks, and access to a fresh, healthy food supply."

I like that approach–encompassing, as it does, the "efficacy of the little good." Because, truly, it is the "little" things that count, not so much big endeavors like a sports stadium or convention center (which I also believe in, and supported as mayor). The fact is there’s no magic bullet for urban revitalization. The best strategy is to mind the store well, to focus on the the basics—street lighting, sidewalks, trees, trails, corner grocery stores, pubs, police horse and/or bike patrols, newspaper stands, parks and green space, and on and on–that can make a neighborhood livable and sustainable. Combine those strategies with sensible and conserving regionalism, and you have a really powerful package.

So will the comprehensive, connected urbanism–the urban vision the president articulates–ever become reality? Will Congress and the American people support the urban vision and program? Some will say it’s too much, some say it’s not enough. Everyone wonders where the money will come from. But–if the urban initiatives the President Obama speaks of are supported in the new federal budget, the vision will be furthered, maybe historically. Let’s hope so.

Reprinted from citiwire.net

Smart Growth Guidelines for Sustainable Design & Development

In Connecticut, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) partnered with the U.S. EPA to address the challenges and opportunities of growing smarter and building greener. Many of these challenges and opportunities are shared by communities and regions around the country. CRCOG collaborated with EPA’s Smart Growth Program to identify tools and strategies for implementing a state affordable housing program, HOMEConnecticut, to grow smarter, ensure healthy and affordable housing, and support long-term economic competitiveness at the local and regional levels.

The guidelines were developed for communities in Connecticut and around the country striving to get development and future growth that result in stronger neighborhoods, protected open space and watersheds, and healthier and more affordable homes. The guidelines also are applied to site-level conceptual plans for development that are featured in a companion report, Together We Can Grow Better: Smart Growth for a Sustainable Region.

Global Environmental Change and Human Security

In recent years, scholars in international relations and other fields have begun to conceive of security more broadly, moving away from a state-centered concept of national security toward the idea of human security, which emphasizes the individual and human well-being. Viewing global environmental change through the lens of human security connects such problems as melting ice caps and carbon emissions to poverty, vulnerability, equity, and conflict. This book examines the complex social, health, and economic consequences of environmental change across the globe.

In chapters that are both academically rigorous and policy relevant, the book discusses the connections of global environmental change to urban poverty, natural disasters (with a case study of Hurricane Katrina), violent conflict (with a study of the decade-long Nepalese civil war), population, gender, and development. The book makes clear the inadequacy of traditional understandings of security and shows how global environmental change is raising new, unavoidable questions of human insecurity, conflict, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2010 Benchmarking Report

Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report is an effort by the Alliance for Biking and Walking to collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities and promote human powered transportation as an important alternative choice. This second biennial report reveals data including: bicycling and walking levels and demographics; bicycle and pedestrian safety; bicycle and pedestrian policies and provisions; funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects; bicycle and pedestrian staffing levels; written policies on bicycling and walking; bicycle infrastructure including bike lanes, paths, signed bike routes, and bicycle parking; bike-transit integration including presence of bike racks on buses, bike parking at transit stops; bicycling and walking education and encouragement activities; and public health indicators including levels of obesity, physical activity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The report concludes that where bicycling and walking levels are higher, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes levels are lower. Higher levels of bicycling and walking also coincide with increased bicycle and pedestrian safety and higher levels of physical activity. Increasing physical activity through transportation can help improve health and reduce obesity. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report also includes numerous measures local and state governments can implement to make their communities friendlier to walkers and bikers. International efforts are also studied to show what programs have worked overseas and potential ways to copy those successes in the United States.

Alliance for Biking & Walking (formerly known as the Thunderhead Alliance) is the North American coalition of grassroots bicycling and walking advocacy organizations. Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2010 Benchmarking Report was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through the additional support of Bikes Belong and Planet Bike.

Climate Neutral Research Campuses

Research campuses consume more energy per square foot than most facilities. They also have greater opportunities to reduce energy consumption, implement renewable energy systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and set an example of climate neutrality.

This website provides research campuses a five-step process to develop and implement climate action plans:

Determine Baseline Energy Consumption
Analyze Technology Options
Prepare a Plan and Set Priorities
Implement the Climate Action Plan
Measure & Evaluate Progress

The process follows a logical hierarchy of actions to evaluate options by energy sector and set specific targets. It encompasses every energy system on campus, recognizing that campus-wide measures have greater potential for reducing carbon emissions.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed this website with support from Labs21—a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Rental Housing Characteristics: Supply, Vacancy, and Affordability

The national rental vacancy rate during the second quarter of 2009 was up from both the previous quarter and the same quarter in 2008. However, changes in vacancy rates varied regionally – from a marginal annual decline in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan statistical area (MSA) to a noteworthy yearly increase in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale MSA.

This new working paper reports these findings as part of its overview of the current rental housing market dynamics, in relation to supply, local conditions, the national assisted rental housing stock, and both need and demand for affordable rental housing. Trends in rental housing characteristics over time are also noted.

Key findings of the report:

The national rental vacancy rate was 10.6 percent in the second quarter of 2009, up from both the previous quarter and the same quarter in 2008.
In 2008, regional vacancy rates ranged from 4.5 to 18.3 percent..
From 2006 to 2008, Section 8 vacancy rates varied marginally and did not exceed 5%; public housing vacancies fell 2%.
Low-income housing tax credit developments represented approximately half of all newly constructed multifamily units since 2000.
From 2001 to 2007, the stock of affordable unassisted rentals dropped 6.3%; high-rent units increased 94.3%.
Renter households spending at least 50% of their incomes on housing increased from 8.3 million in 2007 to 8.7 million in 2008.

Greenest Vehicles of 2010

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has released its listing of the most environmentally friendly cars for 2010. The Best of 2010 lists the greenest models in each vehicle class. Included are the year's top-rated subcompact, compact, midsize, and large cars, as well as minivans, vans, pickups, and sport utility vehicles.

The Greenest Vehicles of 2010 lists the top models having the highest Green Scores overall. In addition, ACEEE's Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2010 lists the 12 cars and trucks with this year's worst Green Scores.

LEED 2009 Green Neighborhood Development Reference Guide

The LEED 2009 Reference Guide for Green Neighborhood Development is a user's manual that guides a LEED-ND project from registration to certification. This guide is specifically designed to provide the tools necessary for sustainable choices to be made by developers, planners, architects and others involved in the vertical and horizontal development of a neighborhood development project. The Reference Guide includes detailed information on the process for achieving LEED-ND certification, detailed credit and prerequisite information, resources, and standards for the LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development Rating System. For each credit or prerequisite, the guide provides: intent, requirements, point values, environmental, economic and social issues, related credits, summary of referenced standards, credit implementation discussion, timeline, and team recommendations, calculation methods and formulas, documentation guidance, examples, exemplary performance options, regional variations, resources, and definitions.

With each purchase of the Hardcopy LEED Reference Guide for Green Neighborhood Development, 30-day access to download and save a non-printable PDF version of the reference guide is available.

The E-book purchase option provides 30-day access to download and save a printable PDF version of the reference guide. Please save a copy of the guide to your computer within this time frame. This option does not include a hard copy delivery of the reference guide.

Revitalizing Older Cities Initiative

Some urban and metropolitan areas throughout the Northeast and Midwest have enjoyed stable population growth and rich economic prosperity throughout recent history. However, many of the region's historic cities - former centers of industry, transportation, and American ingenuity - have suffered, and continue to suffer, the pains of population loss, lack of traditional employment opportunities, and diminished economic investment.

Recognizing that a high number of our nation’s most economically challenged older industrial cities are concentrated in our region, the Northeast-Midwest Institute has embraced a new Revitalizing Older Cities Initiative. This initiative pulls from many of the long-standing policy issues associated with the Institute, including brownfields, urban food issues, energy, manufacturing, and environmental restoration policy.

Corresponding with the Institute’s older cities work, the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition established the Revitalizing Older Cities (ROC) Congressional Task Force. Members of Congress sharing an interest in restoring prosperity to America’s great historic manufacturing and transportation centers of the Northeast and Midwest now have a structured group to exchange legislative ideas, create effective policy, and utilize the research capabilities of the Northeast-Midwest Institute. The ROC Congressional Task Force is co-chaired by Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Mike Turner (R-OH) and currently maintains 22 committed members. To support the ROC Congressional Task Force, the Northeast-Midwest Institute is in the process of convening working group teams. The advisory teams will focus on policy analysis and enhancement recommendations in six areas germane to older cities revitalization: transportation and infrastructure, housing, energy and environment, brownfields, economic and workforce development, and healthy livable communities.

Leadership for Healthy Communities Action Strategies Toolkit

Childhood obesity has become a major health issue in the United States with rates quadrupling over the last four decades. In fact, as noted in the Leadership for Healthy Communities: Advancing Policies to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living, Action Strategies Toolkit, parents now rank childhood obesity as the number one threat to children—topping alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse. In addition, the United States currently spends over $117 billion each year in healthcare costs related to obesity and indirect costs such as lost productivity. Obesity is a multifaceted issue with many possible causes and solutions with policy action playing a major role in future prevention.

The Leadership for Healthy Communities: Advancing Policies to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living, Action Strategies Toolkit is a result of the collaborative efforts of 11 policy-maker organizations, which represent public officials from the state and local levels of governance engaged in a variety of activities promoting healthy living. The toolkit is divided into two sections: Active Living and the Built Environment; and Healthy eating-- expounding on the two best solutions to obesity, diet and exercise. Each of these two sections is further subdivided into identifying stakeholders, environmental context, and how to implement policies that have been proven to work.

Leadership for Healthy Communities: Advancing Policies to Support Healthy Eating and Active Living, Action Strategies Toolkit is published by the Leadership for Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was created to support local and state leaders nationwide in their efforts to promote healthy, active communities and access to affordable healthy foods.

Foreclosed Properties in NYC: A Look at the Last 15 Years

In 2009, New York City saw a record number of foreclosure filings, passing 20,000 for the first time since we started tracking foreclosures in early 1990s. Yet little is known about what happens to these properties after they receive a foreclosure notice. How many homeowners manage to stay in their home? How many sell? How many properties complete the foreclosure process and go to auction? How many end up bank-owned? The answers to these questions are critical for policymakers trying to stem the tide of foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods that have been hard hit, but they have been largely elusive until now.

This new report from the Furman Center has analyzes the outcomes of 1-4 family properties that entered foreclosure in New York City between 1993 and 2007, paying particular attention to trends in recent years. The report finds that of properties that received a foreclosure filing in 2007, more than half have not completed the foreclosure process, while 12% of those properties have completed the foreclosure process and are now bank-owned. The report identifies a current inventory of 1,750 bank-owned (termed Real Estate Owned or "REO" by lenders) properties citywide-up dramatically from about 290 at the end of 2006. While the overall number of REO properties in New York remains small compared to harder hit cities, the report finds that these properties are highly concentrated in Eastern Queens, Central Brooklyn, and the North Shore of Staten Island-not surprisingly, the same neighborhoods that have been hardest hit by the mortgage crisis.