"The hard-fought budget compromise for 2011 protects, for example, two stellar programs of the new push, both triggers for hundreds of competitive applications. One is the Sustainable Communities Initiative that helps localities (and federal departments) tie together and improve their efforts in housing, transportation and environmental decisions at the regional and grassroots level. The program is to receive $100 million for this fiscal year." (see here)
Note the juxtaposition of the hundreds of applications and the relatively few dollars available. Without sufficient market demand for urban land, renewal is hard to come by.
Interesting article. I like the stance that Donovan is taking. He makes a compelling argument for increased efficiency and compactness of cities. This would reduce demand for oil and increase "greenness". I think it is initiatives like these that lead to better more sustainable environments for living and urban growth.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Chris that these programs will lead to more sustainable environments. I also think that the best part about these programs and initiatives is that communities are in support of these programs. Individual communities, with proper funding and resources, can make the largest and most effective impact on their respective communities.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very important that the local and federal departments tie their efforts together. I think if more people are on the same page with the initiatives it will be easier to get them into action and to improving and creating sustainable environments.
ReplyDeleteThe compacting of cities could also lead to an increase in jobs creating new public transportation infrastructure. These efforts would not need to be a forced program but could be a heavily subsidized movement for industries that do not need to have a set physical location. This will become easier to enact as more jobs become internet based.
ReplyDeleteFascinating article; thanks!
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