Smart Growth

Cities are expected to play a key role in delivering the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, green and inclusive growth. Concerning smart growth, cities are at the forefront of innovation. Moreover, the physical concentration of people, capital and business opportunities means that cities are more productive than other places. In relation to green growth, healthy, compact and energy-efficient cities are key to achieving sustainability in Europe. Many European cities are currently developing or expanding their networks for walking, cycling, public transport, waste management, district heating and green infrastructures. Finally, cities can contribute to inclusive growth. For example, by combating social polarisation and poverty, by providing affordable housing and by integrating refugees and migrants. In the context of the Urban Agenda for the EU and the Dutch EU presidency in the first half of 2016, the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has recently published ‘Cities in Eur...

Purpose: This study investigates the integration of smart city strategies and livability principles to develop sustainable residential districts that address the challenges of urbanization, such as environmental degradation, insufficient infrastructure, and declining social cohesion. Methodology: The research employs a mixed-method approach comprising theoretical analysis, empirical case study evaluations (e.g., Songdo, Masdar City, Msheireb Downtown Doha), and expert surveys. It identifies critical indicators of livability and sustainability, focusing on district-level smart city strategies. Findings: Through a comparative analysis of smart city projects at both city-wide and district scales, the study reveals that transitioning from city-wide smart initiatives to medium-sized residential districts enhances social sustainability and quality of life. It prioritizes factors such as healthcare, green mobility, public safety, and community engagement, while also addressing the shortcomings of existing "ghost city" phenomena. The findings provide a comprehensive approach to evaluating and directing the creation of smart and livable districts. This approach is a comprehensive integration of the indicators for both smart and livable districts, to be a base for creating a smart livable system for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to implement smart district strategies that promote inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and livability. The findings provide stakeholders, legislators, and urban planners practical recommendations for putting smart district policies that support liveability, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability into practice. In order to create sustainable and well-rounded urban settings, these findings highlight the significance of implementing a comprehensive strategy that incorporates both intelligent infrastructure and liveability outcomes. The framework provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating and directing the creation of smart and livable districts. Novelty: This research bridges the gap between technology-driven smart cities and human-centered urban planning by introducing a holistic framework for creating socially vibrant, ecologically sound, and technologically advanced residential districts.

Conventional and emerging paradigms of urbanism require new responses under the current circumstances, especially in relation to the integration of sustainability dimensions and technology advances. The escalating rate of urbanization, coupled with the climate emergency, fundamentally indeed disrupt the challenges that urbanism research and practice deal with, calling for adopting more innovative approaches to urban planning and design. With cities contributing around 65% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and experiencing an unprecedented growth of population, contemporary urban policy needs to be redefined and re-assessed accordingly. While numerous urban models, such as the Compact City, the Eco-City, the Sustainable City, and the Smart City, have emerged in response to the challenges of sustainability and urbanization, the 15-Minute City has recently gained a steep popularity. This paper explores the theoretical, practical, and technological foundations of the 15-Minute City, with a particular focus on the proximity dimension of mixed land-use and its environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainability as supported by smart technologies. We argue that this evolving model of urbanism has the potential to gain more expansion and success in regard to building more sustainable, efficient, resilient, equitable, and inclusive cities in line with the global agendas of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, as it adds a strategic value to the amalgam of the prevailing and emerging paradigms of urbanism and their synergies with respect to increasing the benefits of sustainability while emphasizing its environmental dimension.

The rapid development of the smart city concept encourages the need for energy management that is more efficient, sustainable and adaptive to the needs of modern urban communities. In this context, renewable energy is the main solution to reduce dependence on fossil energy sources that are limited and pollute the environment. This research aims to optimize the utilization of renewable energy in smart cities by integrating Big Data technology and Decision Support Systems (DSS). The approach used in this research is a case study and system modeling method, which involves collecting energy data from various sources such as IoT sensors, weather stations, and energy distribution systems in real-time. The data is then analyzed using Big Data Analytics techniques to identify energy consumption patterns, potential renewable energy production, and peak load predictions. Furthermore, a decision support system was designed to assist policy makers and city managers in determining optimal energy distribution and usage strategies based on the available data and simulations. The results show that the integration of Big Data and DSS is able to increase the efficiency of renewable energy utilization up to 25% compared to conventional systems. In addition, the system is also able to dynamically respond to changing conditions and provide more accurate and adaptive decision recommendations. These findings indicate that the synergy between data technology and decision support systems plays a strategic role in creating sustainable and environmentally sound smart cities.

Low occupancy and persistent dependence on Greater Cairo reveal that Egypt's New Urban Communities (NUCs) cannot fully fulfil their foundational mandate of population redistribution. Grounded in polycentric urban governance theory, this study evaluates the effectiveness, livability, economic autonomy and strategic practice of twenty-two NUCs. Mixed-method analysis combined official statistics, spatial datasets and a questionnaire survey of fifty-four domain experts. Quantitative indicators show that, on average, NUCs have absorbed only 31 % of their planned residents; densities in five cities remain well below the UN-Habitat benchmark of 7,000 inh./km². Expert scores confirm low liveability (mean = 3.26/6) and merely moderate economic independence (3.92/6), while strategic review exposes unrealistic population targets and contradictory datasets across national platforms. Synthesizing these insights, the research formulates a five-phase integrated development strategy: (1) revise NUCA's vision in line with Egypt Vision 2030/2050; (2) establish an up-to-date geo-referenced database; (3) conduct SWOT diagnostics; (4) delineate mutual and unique development areas; (5) implement a realistic, priority-driven strategic plan that mobilises private partnerships and community input. The findings mirror international evidence that new cities risk privileging real-estate speculation over long-term socioeconomic sustainability, providing a transferrable framework for corrective action and immediate implementation.

Following the launch of the new initiative Energy Policy for Europe (EPE) at the spring summit in March 2006, the next challenge facing the Austrian Presidency of the European Union (EU) is to re-launch the European sustainable development strategy bringing together economic, social and environmental objectives and policies. The purpose of this EPSD report is to contribute both to the debate on energy and to the re-launch of the sustainable development strategy. The report includes: 1) An introduction to the sustainability ...

Florida is recognized as a national leader in the "Smart Growth" movement. The state has given housing goals a special prominence in regional and urban planning, explicitly requiring its cities to plan for a diverse range of housing needs and types. However, a growing body of research strongly suggests that some of the goals of Smart Growth's advocates may be inconsistent with the realities of housing development. To the extent that more compact, higher density urban development is encouraged through growth-management laws such as Florida's, higher housing prices could result. In fact, despite statewide planning goals and programs designed to promote affordable housing, housing costs have been increasing in Florida faster than the national average. According to the National Association of Realtors, home prices in Florida exceeded the national average for the first time in 2005. Housing price increases have outpaced income growth. Indeed, since 1994, housing price inflation has outstripped income growth by a factor of two to one. Not surprisingly, housing affordability has suffered. Housing affordability in Florida tracked the national average for much of the 1990s but declined significantly after 2000. Florida's housing opportunity index -a measure of how many households can afford the "median" home based on income and housing price -has eroded sharply, particularly since 2005, falling well below the national level by 2007. While affordability nationwide was just over 10 percent lower in 2007 than in 1991, affordability in Florida has plummeted by more than 50 percent over the same time period and has eroded by nearly 60 percent since its peak at 80.7 in 1994. Despite these trends, few analysts have examined Florida's statewide growth management law and its impact on housing markets and prices. This is surprising because a large body of research has shown that local and statewide regulations on development significantly impact housing production and costs. Among the handful of studies that have examined Florida's housing market, one conducted by Reason Foundation in 2001 found that Florida's Growth Management Act (GMA) may have contributed as much as 20 percent to rising housing costs between 1994 and 2000. This report updates and extends that previous study by analyzing housing price data from 1990 to 2006. A statistical analysis of housing trends in the 56 of Florida's 67 counties found that as much as 16 percent of housing price inflation can be attributed to planning under the state's GMA, a result consistent with previous analysis and research.

This paper takes a critical look at the Smart Growth movement and its reliance on traditional central planning to achieve its goals. Using statewide planning in Oregon, Florida, and Washington State as examples, the paper examines the planning focus of recent efforts to manage growth through land-use planning at the state level. It then applies the Austrian critique of economic planning to the contemporary Smart Growth movement in the United States as it is reflected in statewide planning laws. The calculation debate focused primarily on the technical question of whether bureaucratic planning could, in fact, achieve market outcomes. In the current debate over Smart Growth, planning combines political and bureaucratic decisionmaking. The political context in which planning decisions are made fundamentally alters the decision making process, shifting the emphasis to articulate knowledge as the foundation for policymaking. To be relevant in the current debate over planning, the calculation debate needs to be extended to include a political dimension to its critique of planning.

Cities have always been the backbone of society since they were the first groups to offer people economic, social, and political goods and services. It's apparent that cities will continue to draw in most of the world's people in the years to come. The prediction takes into account that by 2040, nearly 65% of the world's population will live in cities. This tendency of more and more people moving to cities may be seen in the growth of larger and larger conurbations. The ensuing concentration of people in cities causes a variety of challenges in their daily lives. Some obvious problems in cities are heavy traffic from public and private transportation, unplanned growth on the outskirts of cities where there aren't enough public facilities, essential services, and job opportunities, the need for mobility, a growing population that needs more infrastructure investments, limited resources and water supply because demand is growing faster than supply, trash left in public spaces that isn't picked up by garbage trucks, energy distribution and public lighting w

Heritage areas are increasingly threatened by rapid urban expansion, driven by population growth and insufficient planning measures. These areas are vital as they preserve cultural identity, social cohesion, and economic vitality, making their preservation essential. This study investigates the drivers of urban expansion in Gharb Sohail, Aswan, a culturally and historically significant heritage area. Employing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced machine learning models, including the Land Change Modeler (LCM) and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural networks, the research identifies key factors shaping urban growth and simulates future expansion scenarios. The findings indicate that urban sprawl within the study area is projected to cover 753.65 feddan by 2062. Proximity to the Nile River, mosques, and tourism infrastructure emerge as the dominant factors influencing urbanization, with Cramer's V values of 0.66, 0.50, and 0.49, respectively. The study forecasts that by 2062, the urbanized area will expand from 20.15 % to 27.39 % of the total study area, resulting in considerable encroachment on non-urban lands. This significant growth poses a direct threat to the integrity of Gharb Sohail's heritage areas, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive urban management strategies. In response, the research advocates for the implementation of targeted urban planning measures, including strict urban growth regulation, the promotion of architectural continuity, and the integration of sustainable development practices in adjacent urban areas. These strategic recommendations offer actionable insights for urban planners and policymakers, providing a robust framework for balancing heritage conservation with the socioeconomic demands of urban growth.

This abstract examines the role of economic incentives and investment strategies in revitalizing underserved neighborhoods. It explores tools such as tax credits, opportunity zones, low-income housing investments, and public-private partnerships as key drivers of community development. These financial mechanisms aim to attract capital, stimulate local economies, and improve housing and infrastructure in historically marginalized areas. The analysis highlights how strategic deployment of resources, when paired with inclusive planning and community engagement, can foster long-term stability, social equity, and sustainable growth. By leveraging both private and public sector participation, these approaches offer scalable models for transforming neglected neighborhoods into thriving, resilient communities.

Australian cities have undergone profound reforms over recent decades, as politicians, decisionmakers and planners have sought to ensure our built environments remain liveable and can adapt to new lifestyles and demographic trends. Urban consolidation is one of these reforms. 1 Urban consolidation is a growth management policy that aims to direct growth away from green-field sites at the metropolitan periphery by increasing density in existing built environments, through smaller suburban lots and higher density dwellings– ...

Australian cities exhibit a quality of life arguably among the best in the world, but rapidly expanding populations may soon threaten this status. The burgeoning conurbation of South East Queensland (SEQ) is an example. Recent growth management policies and plans (e.g. South East Queensland Regional Plan and local authority growth management strategies) have sought to curtail urban sprawl through urban footprints, growth management boundaries, urban consolidation, and other measures. The 'density imperative' presented by these collective urban policies affects the sourcing, provision and management of open space in inner-city locales in SEQ which may soon run out of land for parks and urban greenspace. This paper presents results from recent research into the environmental equity dimensions of providing urban greenspace in SEQ. Critiquing the long-entrenched parks-standards approach, the paper offers a 'needs-based' alternative, and considers its utility for SEQ and other fast-growing Australian urban areas. Questioning orthodox planning perspectives about who lives in higher density areas, we argue that local and state governments should look towards a variety of new types of green and open space to meet the needs of existing and future residents living in denser built environments.

Molotch, Stone, and others demonstrated that business leaders exercise major influence in American urban politics. Business leaders with local economic interests have long promoted growth in American cities. This article discusses the historical influence of Atlanta's business leaders in the city's economic growth and focuses on their role in the policy shifts in the 1990s, from unfettered growth to “smart growth.” In response to Atlanta's worsened image for attracting business and the restrictions imposed by the EPA in using federal money, Atlanta's business leaders led the political process that created the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. The implications of this process for the theories of urban politics and the future directions for regional governance are discussed.

This project's goal is to lift up promising approaches, suggest new strategies and encourage honest conversations that result in public policy solutions to income and racial segregation and poverty. The overarching question that motivates this work is: • What are effective policies and strategies that promote access to high-opportunity amenities for low-income families? Lesson 4: Quality design and project management are essential. Developments that are well-designed and well-managed help dissipate community fears and become important examples when advocating for subsequent projects. Lesson 5: Patience and pacing pay off. Even though need may be acute, starting small and showing success can be a good strategy, as the successes can make it easier for the efforts to be scaled and have larger impact. Lesson 6: The dual funding model increases local comfort with participation. Creating a structure where funding to support staff support is separated from funding to provide capital for projects can enhance local jurisdictional support, as jurisdictions are not asked to take a "leap of faith" and provide funds before they know what projects will be developed. Lesson 7: Market forces and a history of housing insecurity represent major challenges. Broader economic trends and housing market conditions often represent significant headwinds that make it much more difficult for lower-income families to consistently access opportunity and make progress toward self-sufficiency. An additional goal for the project was to strengthen the network of academics in each metropolitan area well-versed in the issues of opportunity and positioned to offer technical, evaluative, and intellectual support for efforts to increase access to opportunity for lower-income families. To this end, during our initial outreach in each region, we asked contacts for their recommendations regarding leading local researchers studying these issues as well as institutions who would likely be interested in building such capacity. From the recommendations, we engaged with scholars and institutions and ultimately established academic partnerships with teams led by Professor Shawn Flanigan at

The purpose of this book is to share and develop qualification requirements for the digital competencies necessary for the implementation of professional activities in the public service. The book is also aiming at collecting digital objectives and strategies of public organizations that improve digital talent needs to deliver a sustainable solution"--Provided by publisher.

In 2012, a remarkable collaboration between academia and industry introduced a method to measure and evaluate the sustainability of infrastructure; the myriad systems – both hidden and visible – that make cities hum. Developed jointly by Harvard University’s Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure and the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), the Envision Rating System provides, like LEED for buildings, a tool to systematically quantify and optimize the footprints of the systems we place upon this planet.

The Zofnass Program recognizes that the realm of planning, which precedes the realm of design, is where the deepest choices are made that realize a sustainable urban future. In 2015, Zofnass will unveil a comprehensive strategic planning manual covering seven interrelated infrastructure categories: Energy, Water, Food, Waste, Transportation, Landscape, and Information. In each category, guidelines are grouped by five areas of fundamental concern: Leadership, Quality of Life, Natural World, Resource Allocation, and Climate and Risk.

The topic of this paper is the exploration of the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Guidelines and their contribution to creating livable cities. The paper looks closest at the category, Transportation, drawing on one author’s particular expertise and participation as an industry contributor to this section of the tool, and the other author’s key leadership and research roles in the Zofnass Program.

Post-publication update:  In 2016, the Sustainable Infrastructure Planning Guidelines, the topic of this paper, were formalized by the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure as a book, "Planning Sustainable Cities, An infrastructure-based approach". A publication link is provided under Resources (see Page 13). In 2022, the Zofnass program moved from Harvard Graduate School of Design to its industry partner, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) where its work continues as the Zofnass Research Program.

Washington, DC ‐ In the 1990s, public opposition to suburban sprawl spurred states to create a spectrum of innovative smart-growth initiatives. They included better planning rules and incentives, tax credits for historic preservation, funding for development rights purchases, and increased transit spending. Some of these initiatives were adopted by governors, some were established by legislation, and still others were born of ballot measures. Despite recent signs of an economic recovery, states are struggling to balance their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Plummeting revenues have led to budget shortfalls of millions, and in some cases, billions of dollars. How are smart growth initiatives faring? Although legislators are still deliberating over the fate of a range of state programs, there are some disturbing trends. Disregarding public support for smart growth programs, lawmakers in several states are proposing to cut them first. Given the success of these programs, such cut...

Over the last decade, many studies have focused on the demographic and functional decline occurring in several cities throughout the old industrialised countries, both in Europe and in the United States. This process, rapidly dubbed by the international scholarship ‘urban shrinkage’ (Pallagst et al., 2009), does not seem to present the same features in each country. This aspect is not clearly underlined in literature, even though some authors recognised the nuanced nature of the phenomenon (Hollander et al., 2009) . Particularly, literature does not stress sufficiently the need to collect data at an appropriate geographical scale, identifying the territorial units where the indicators must be assessed: 1) the municipal boundaries do not suit in order to evaluate the shrinking processes, because these ones have often a trans-border nature; 2) the different urban systems can respond differently to the ‘global’ solicitations, according to their economic basis, social fabric and plannin...

The Sports Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a massive project that will impact aspects of urban development like livability, quality of life, availability of green spaces, and equal access to opportunities, particularly the Northern edge where it is implemented. This review article evaluates the existing evidence on the theory of the impact of megaprojects on urban development to determine an appropriate framework for assessing the effects of the Sports Boulevard project on Riyadh's urban development. The methodology applied is an integrative literature review that combines insights from government documents, policy briefs, and scholarly research articles to address the above-mentioned research objectives. Results from the review indicated that the Sports Boulevard project would theoretically be conceptualized through social and economic impacts, such as inducing increased quality of life by creating pedestrian spaces that encourage walkability, cycling, and exercising through bikes. The results also indicated that the green spaces afforded by the project would provide opportunities for socialization and social events that promote social cohesion, better wellbeing, and a sense of community. Economically, the project will enable access to opportunities for those residing in the neighborhood.

Under current models of sustainable housing, many local governments are attempting various methods to mitigate, to varying degrees, the inevitable human impact on the environment that arises from residential buildings. This Note anticipates a synthesis of these diverse approaches and, to this end, offers comparative international legal analyses of municipal ordinances designed to promote sustainable neighborhoods. This Note, however, is written for an American planning and development audience. Citation: 39 J. Env't L. & Litig. 289.

At the risk of appearing fashionable, I decided to stick "smart growth" in the title of my talk. I confess this is because I find smart growth to be a nice shorthand for "transport and land-use integration". Stripped to its essentials, smart growth is mainly about better coordinating and integrating transportation and land development. "Smart growth" is a compressed (two-syllable) way of saying this. In the United States, "smart growth" has gained a momentum of its own, fueled by progressive legislation in states like Maryland and Florida which ties infrastructure dollars to land-use management. No longer just a local issue, smart-growth rhetoric is today even heard on the national campaign trail. In ways, smart growth is synonymous with sustainable development. As a rapacious consumer of natural resources and emitter of pollutants, the transport sector must be judged on the basis of sustainability -maintaining or improving, as opposed to harming, the natural environment. Sustainability argues for resource-efficient forms of mobility, such as metrorail systems that link planned urban centers in the case of big cities and dedicated carpool and bus lanes that reward efficient motor-vehicle use in smaller ones. Congestion pricing, parking restraints, and the development of alternative-fuel vehicles are other strategies that embrace sustainability principles.

At the risk of appearing fashionable, I decided to stick "smart growth" in the title of my talk. I confess this is because I find smart growth to be a nice shorthand for "transport and land-use integration". Stripped to its essentials, smart growth is mainly about better coordinating and integrating transportation and land development. "Smart growth" is a compressed (two-syllable) way of saying this. In the United States, "smart growth" has gained a momentum of its own, fueled by progressive legislation in states like Maryland and Florida which ties infrastructure dollars to land-use management. No longer just a local issue, smart-growth rhetoric is today even heard on the national campaign trail. In ways, smart growth is synonymous with sustainable development. As a rapacious consumer of natural resources and emitter of pollutants, the transport sector must be judged on the basis of sustainability -maintaining or improving, as opposed to harming, the natural environment. Sustainability argues for resource-efficient forms of mobility, such as metrorail systems that link planned urban centers in the case of big cities and dedicated carpool and bus lanes that reward efficient motor-vehicle use in smaller ones. Congestion pricing, parking restraints, and the development of alternative-fuel vehicles are other strategies that embrace sustainability principles.

Growth machine theory is ambiguous about the chances of success of citizen groups fighting land-based elites, an ambiguity reflected in contrasting theoretical assumptions and empirical research. This paper suggests that D longitudinal frame of reference is necessary to understand the variety of outcomes of growth conflicts and that the importance of ballot box planning in contesting growth machines needs to be assessed. Growth conflicts in San Diego during 1970- 1990 were studied. It was found that: (I) growth conflicts follow a dialecticalpattern of action and reaction, (2) citizen groups, through initiatives, can signijicanily afSect the quality and location of development, (3) the growth machine controls the playing field when long-term growth is challenged, (4) in combatting challenges to growth, the growth machine presents a united front only sporadically, and (5) environmental and growth control citizen groups rarely achieve consensus.

New towns are a major form of urban growth in China. In recent years, increasing numbers of large new town projects have been planned and built in and around existing cities. These new town projects have frequently been employed by city governments as central elements of pro-growth strategies, based on ideas of urban entrepreneurialism, which seek to promote economic growth, project a dynamic city image, and increase urban competitiveness. This article studies how the pro-growth, urban entrepreneurial approach affects the planning and development of Chinese megacities. A conceptual framework focusing on land-leasing revenue and new town development strategies is employed to explore the linkages between urban growth mechanisms and urban outcomes. Empirical material from four cities in the Pearl River Delta—Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, and Zhuhai—is presented. The analysis indicates that new town developments in these cities have different levels of dependency on spatial expansion and...

In this paper we describe a multiobjective optimization model of "Smart Growth" applied to land development in Montgomery Country, Maryland. The term "Smart Growth" is generally meant to describe those land development strategies which do not result in urban sprawl, however the term is somewhat open to interpretation. The multiobjective aspects arise when considering the conflicting interests of the various stakeholders involved: the government planner, the environmentalist, the conservationist, and the land developer. We present a formulation, which employs linear and convex quadratic objective functions for the stakeholders that are subject to polyhedral and binary constraints. As such, the resulting optimization problems are convex, quadratic mixed integer programs which are known to be NP-complete (Mansini and Speranza, 1999). We report numerical results with this model and present these results using a geographic information system (GIS).

Many communities on the urban fringe are implementing a range of policies to preserve farmland and open space, cluster residential development, and guide development to areas with existing infrastructure. These efforts are an attempt to control overall growth and the concomitant loss in open space and also to counter a trend toward the so-called large lot development that often takes place in these areas. Planners have argued that policies to manage density are the most important local policy focus for urban areas in the coming years. It is possible that large lot development and sprawl are themselves the result of government policy. Most local governments use zoning to establish minimum acreage requirements for each residential dwelling unit; in ex-urban localities, these limits are often quite high. Developers might build a subdivision with average lot sizes greater than the minimum but they cannot by law go below it. Some researchers have argued, however, that the spatial patterns of development are simply the natural result of household preferences and market forces. In this paper, we address the question of whether zoning limits are the primary cause of lowdensity, sprawling development or whether market forces tend to dictate this outcome. If zoning limits account for low-density development in at least some cases, how would development patterns be different if there had been no such rules? We begin by constructing a simple model of the developer decision about the density of new development. The subdivision is the unit of observation, and developers must weigh both demand and cost considerations in choosing density, in addition to complying with zoning restrictions that vary across parcels. We apply the model using parcel-level data from a region where zoning rules vary but are exogenous to the period under study. Calvert County, Maryland, near Washington, DC, is an historically rural county that has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The county has a transferable development rights (TDRs) program that has led to a great deal of variability in the intensity of development across properties. We are able to not only examine the extent to which zoning has contributed to large lot development but also to determine the economic forces that underlie density decisions. Finally, we are able to forecast how density would have been different in the absence of zoning rules by estimating a Tobit equation that is censored for the observations constrained by zoning.

The spatial mismatch hypothesis posits that disproportionate unemployment rates among low-income African-Americans are the result of the movement of jobs away from the central city and to the suburbs coupled with the residential concentration of low-income blacks in the central city. See Kain 1968 and Wilson 1996.

Nowadays increasing growth ofurbanization andUrbanismhas led tomany problemsforurbanites. Along this problems, the idea of urban sustainable development and coordinate with specific approaches emerged as new urbanism and smart growth that with its principle giving new life to the cities. The smart growth is one of the newest approach of urban planning and urban design, that providing strategies and policiesin urban planning and urban design to create optimal space and urban achieve maximum quality.Smart growth can oversee regional planning, urban design, physical design, architecture, environmental design as landscape, which represents its influence on the future of human social. In condition that political, social and economical problems are vitals, this approach concerns on designing, with this belief that design can have an important role in solving problems that government cannot solve them only with the money and plan. The purpose of this paper is recognition the mission of sma...

The paper aims to describe regional differentiation of social structures in Europe. In addiction, the article analyses distance between Polish regions and European ones, as well as the relation between socio-economic development. The following research paper uses the Hellwig's multivariate classification method. The most advantageous social structure is demonstrated by the metropoles. The Central-Western Europe and the most of the Mediterranean countries have the weakest social structures. Relation between social structures and socio-economic development is positive and fairly strong. All in all, main conclusion is that poorly developed social structures in new members of the Union, inherited from the socialist system, are crucial factors determining low level of development.

The paper aims to describe regional differentiation of social structures in Europe. In addiction, the article analyses distance between Polish regions and European ones, as well as the relation between socio-economic development. The following research paper uses the Hellwig’s multivariate classification method. The most advantageous social structure is demonstrated by the metropoles. The Central-Western Europe and the most of the Mediterranean countries have the weakest social structures. Relation between social structures and socio-economic development is positive and fairly strong. All in all, main conclusion is that poorly developed social structures in new members of the Union, inherited from the socialist system, are crucial factors determining low level of development.

Pragmatism is a philosophy that emphasizes learning through action and building a knowledge base from experience and reflection. It is a potentially compelling approach for public budgeting and financial management. The largely normative theories of public finance, public financial management and public budgeting are examined and critiqued. We do not seek to abandon these valuable contributions to practice, however they often fail to describe and explain the practices of the field. In some cases, the norms prescribed may ...

The University Belt, known for its agglomeration of educational institutions, faces rapid urbanization, rising population densities, and poverty rates. With the National Building Code of the Philippines outdated and the Manila Zoning Ordinance baseless due to the lack of a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the University Belt showcased increased developments, converting low-population, low-building-density areas into unregulated high-population, high-density areas with condominiums, apartments, lodging, and commercial establishments. Without action, the University Belt and its urban development will become even more uncontrolled. The research argues that an Urban Design Guideline will regulate development and redevelopment in the study area and foster control. Thus, this paper seeks first to understand the urban growth and development trend that led to the current condition of the University Belt, determine why the University Belt continues to promote an uncontrolled and unregulated neighborhood despite having governing policies for architecture practitioners, and synthesize architecture practitioners' insights on the governing urban development control policies to highlight the possible need for Through foot and windshield surveys, GIS mapping, a careful study of available datasets, and a survey, the site's context was fully understood and analyzed. In this research, a stratified random sampling approach using a normal distribution with 397 architecture practitioners in the study area found that those who observe urban development controls lack the confidence and relevance to follow it. This research emphasizes the importance of an Urban Design Guideline because it will consolidate all issues of compatibility, frequency, specificity, and harmony of applicable urban development controls in the University Belt to create a high-quality, livable environment ready for transit-oriented development.

The coordination of transportation and land use (also known as “smart growth”) has been a long-standing goal for planning and engineering professionals, but to this day it remains an elusive concept to realize. Leaving us with this central question -- how can we best achieve transportation and land use coordination at the corridor level? In response, this report provides a review of literature and practice related to sustainability, livability, and equity (SLE) with a focus on corridor-level planning. Using Caltrans’ Corridor Planning Process Guide and Smart Mobility Framework as guideposts, this report also reviews various principles, performance measures, and place typology frameworks, along with current mapping and planning support tools (PSTs). The aim being to serve as a guidebook that agency staff can use for reference, synergizing planning insights from various data sources that had not previously been brought together in a practical frame. With this knowledge and understandi...

While "Smart Growth", Transit-Oriented-Development, and "Livability" have been around for years, little research has provided a framework to measure and understand their performance so we can realize key sustainability, livability, health, and equity outcomes. Procedures: In response, this paper builds on literature and practice to evaluate over 350 light rail stations throughout the US, using smart growth, livability, and Transportation/Land-use Coordination (TLC) principles. Using recently developed Livability and Smart Growth Equity calculators (), and a smart growth/livability place-typology framework, this research assesses and grades "livability opportunity access" performance of these station areas along such key dimensions as regional/local access to jobs, services, transit, walkability. Using analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods, we show the significant associations between this livability access and the potential for realizing key quality-of-life benefits important for both individuals and society. But are all people able to equitably access these livability opportunities around transit so they can work towards realizing their desired quality of life? Findings: This study provides a unique evaluation of urban quality performance related to Transportation Land-use Coordination (TLC), "Smart Growth" and "New Urbanism. We find stations with higher levels of livability opportunity access to be significantly associated with key quality of life outcomes for individuals and society, such as lower rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, asthma, driving, carbon emissions, and even lower poverty and unemployment. These higher-performing stations also have higher rates of walking, bicycling, transit use associated with lower household transportation costs which offset higher housing costs. Unfortunately, these stations are not socio-economically inclusivein sum, all stations are not equal, or equitable. Using livability-opportunity-access-assessments with livability ethics, we recommend transportation and land-use agencies coordinate policies to provide equitable access to opportunities so all people can pursue and realize sustainability, livability, health, and equity outcomes for themselves and society.

This mixed-method research explored the significant challenges faced by large cities across the United States, such as housing affordability, which threaten their sustainability and livability. The study hypothesized that the development of ten smart cities on federal land would stimulate economic growth and help alleviate the housing crisis. By integrating the Smart Growth and Economic Multiplier Effect theories, the study found that using only 0.1% of federal land - approximately 640,000 acres – would be sufficient for constructing ten smart cities, each roughly 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. The estimated investment needed for this project is $1.02 trillion, which has the potential to create up to 25 million construction jobs and an additional 7.1 million long-term employment opportunities. With an economic multiplier effect of 8.33, the total economic impact is projected to be $8.54 trillion, substantially boosting the country’s financial well-being. Increased tax revenues, estimated at $55.6 billion annually, will fund essential public services, such as education, healthcare, and public safety. Key findings include creating over 2.26 million residential housing units and more than 64,000 commercial units. Additionally, the federal land can be leased or sold for an immediate cash influx of $6.4 billion. The project is expected to be completed in 12-18 years; however, it will require Congressional approval for land transactions. The study recommends allocating 30% of the housing units for affordable housing and emphasizes the need for strong government participation to ensure speedy deployment. Strategic location selection should focus on states like Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana, ensuring ample federal land availability and renewable energy potential. In short, the success of this substantial infrastructure project depends on securing funding, gaining political support, effective initial design, and appropriate land zoning.

Safe egress plans are critical for crowd evacuation at touristic attractions, particularly during special events, as visitors are often unaware of their options. Identification of bottlenecks in the walking spaces are vital for the development of safe and efficient crowd management and evacuation plans. This paper aims to explore crowd management and evacuation strategies for pedestrian egress flow in Souq Waqif, which is a famous touristic attraction in Doha, under varying crowd demand conditions. PTV Viswalk pedestrian simulation tool was used to evaluate crowd evacuation strategies and identify potential bottlenecks during the egress of crowds. Several guided and unguided evacuation scenarios were developed to understand the egress patterns to the allocated assembly areas inside the Souq. The crowd demands and densities were estimated using publicly available data. Eight major locations were identified as the bottleneck during the simulation. Simulation outcomes highlighted that the current evacuation plans and assembly locations are inadequate in providing safe evacuation routes. However, guided scenarios reduced evacuation times considerably when compared to unguided scenarios, particularly when the demand is high. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to identify the effect of variations in walking behavior parameters in the simulation model. Variations in the walking behavior parameters changed the evacuation times considerably. Thus, proper calibration of walking behavior parameters considering local conditions could improve simulation accuracy. This study helps to identify probable bottlenecks and their characteristics that could help policymakers to assess the effectiveness of evacuation plans and crowd management strategies for crowd safety.