Smart Growth = Clean Air

Kaid Benfield presents the evidence that compact development can bring about a decrease in noxious emissions.

1 minute read

September 16, 2010, 9:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Benfield quotes a study in the Seattle area that indicates that:

"...each 25 percent increase in walkability is associated with a 5.6 percent reduction in NOx emissions and a 5.5 percent reduction in emissions of VOCs, due to reduction in vehicle trips These conclusions are consistent with those reached by Reid Ewing and Robert Cervero in their exhaustive "meta-analysis" of literature on travel and the built environment."

Benfield also cites a 2007 report from the EPA, which concluded that "strong support for infill development can be one of the most effective transportation and emission reduction investments regions can pursue."

Thursday, September 16, 2010 in NRDC Blog

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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