Smart Growth's Future in Northern Virginia

In an interview with Arlington County Board Vice-Chairman Christopher Zimmerman, Jonna McKone asks the local official about current and future transit-oriented development (TOD) and managed growth in the Washington, D.C. region.

1 minute read

December 18, 2010, 11:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur


When asked, "How are you building affordable and livable communities in Arlington?" Zimmerman responded:

"There is a substantial proportion of Arlington that is low- to moderate-income. There are many for whom public transport is a necessity. However, it is also true that a large portion of higher-income Arlington residents want to use public transport."

He continued, noting the reason many decide to move to the Northern Virginia county:

"A lot of people have come here because they don't want to use a car and want to have a lifestyle that is more transit-oriented. We created the ART bus system almost 10 years ago. It has grown tremendously and extended the reach of Metro, reducing traffic and pollution in neighborhoods. We're trying to increase ridership by providing reliable and friendly public transit."

Thanks to Garrett Bradford

Friday, December 17, 2010 in TheCityFix

Young Professional

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 and Environmental Planner

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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

6 seconds ago - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

1 hour ago - Gothamist

A crowd of people bathed in pink light in front of a stage.

Non-stop party: Chicago voters weigh permanent festival grounds

A stable place for bleachers, stages and drainage may streamline the setup and teardown of large events.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago