[Pre-print] Smart growth and sustainable development: Challenges, solutions and policy directions
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Authors
Alexander, Don
Tomalty, Ray
Issue Date
2002
Type
Article
Language
en
Subject
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this paper, we focus on the issues related to development densities that
emerged from our study of sprawl and development issues in three regions of British
Columbia, Canada. We chose to focus on this aspect of the smart growth agenda
because, while many of its other elements enjoy wide support across social interests, the
goal of achieving a higher density urban fabric is highly controversial. We proceeded by
collecting data on development densities and 13 indicators of potential benefits in 26
municipalities. The results suggest that the density of communities is associated with
efficiencies in infrastructure and with reduced automobile dependence, with the ecological
and economic implications which flow from that. However, it does not necessarily correlate
with greater affordability of housing or more access to green space. In fact, if anything, we
discovered a negative relationship between housing affordability and green space per
capita and higher land use densities. In a second stage of the research, we conducted a
qualitative analysis of a subset of six municipalities and identified key policy issues for
moving ahead with the smart growth agenda. The paper concludes with a discussion of
the policy issues that emerged from these case studies.
Description
Citation
Alexander, D. & Tomalty, R. (2002). Smart growth and sustainable development: Challenges, solutions and policy directions. Local Environment, 7(4), 397-409. DOI: 10.1080/1354983022000027578
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
1354-9839