Advice on Responding To Tea Party Members Critical of Smart Growth

The year 2011 may be remembered by some as the year planners began fielding objections about smart growth from Tea Party supporters. Nathan Norris offers his four-step process for responding.

1 minute read

January 9, 2012, 5:00 AM PST

By Hazel Borys


The debate in 2011 surrounding planning as it relates to Tea Party members and UN Agenda 21, an 18-year-old UN plan which encourages countries to consider the environmental impacts of human development, has been emotionally-charged.

Discounting or vilifying Tea Party Activists is not the answer, writes Nathan Norris. Instead, Norris recommends understanding this demographic and offers a four-step process to communicate.

"These concerns are no small issue. Rather, they're a formidable distraction capable of sinking years of work and wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars. In an era of diminishing resources, they're something most communities simply can't afford."

"It's a very real challenge, but not an insurmountable one. For planners looking to make progress despite the hurdles of today's political reality, here's a four-step process for successfully navigating the waters."

"Step One: Stop Belittling Objectors. Step Two: Listen. Step Three: Identify. Step Four: Engage."

Thanks to Hazel Borys

Friday, January 6, 2012 in PlaceShakers

portrait of professional woman

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

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Line of multi-colored big rig trucks drivign down highway with other traffic including a yellow school bus.

Study: 4% of Truckers Lack a Valid Commercial License

Over 56% of inspected trucks had other violations.

June 4 - FreightWaves

Pedestrian holding visual impairment cane pressing crosswalk button.

Chicago Judge Orders Thousands of Accessible Ped Signals

Only 3% of the city's crossing signals are currently accessible to blind pedestrians.

June 4 - DRA Legal

People on bike wearing helmets stopped at intersection waiting for passing cars in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Swaps Car Lanes for Bikeways in Unanimous Vote

The project will transform one of the handful of streets responsible for 80% of the city’s major crashes.

June 4 - Philly Voice

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.