What About The Non-Smart Growthers?

Neal Peirce responds to tough questions about smart growth and regionalism posed by prominent California economist Steven Levy.

1 minute read

January 8, 2003, 12:00 PM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Is smart growth smart enough to deal with the complex realities, and competing demands, of metro area development and population expansion? Steven Levy asks: "Professionally, I work with regional planning councils doing long-term projections of job and housing trends. At this level, it is always the case in California that what is called "smart-growth" cannot possibly fill more than a fraction of overall regional housing needs. Moreover, there are profound ethical and equity issues which I never find adequately addressed by "smart-growth" advocates. One question is "what if I don't want to live in an urban infill, walkable community setting?" Does my family lose its right to new housing? Is my family "less important" than a family who wants to live in an urban setting?"

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, January 6, 2003 in Citistates Group

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility

Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.

April 14, 2024 - Todd Litman

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

View of downtown Seattle with Space Needle and mountains in background

Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises

Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Rendering of Brightline West train passing through Southern California desert

Brightline West Breaks Ground

The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

April 23 - KTLA

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

April 23 - Colorado Politics

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.