Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8. Green transportation including (a) a network of high-quality
trains connecting cities, towns and neighbourhoods and (b) a
pedestrian-friendly design that encourages a greater use of bicy-
cles, rollerblades, scooters and walking as daily transportation.
9. Sustainability, insuring (a) minimal environmental impact of devel-
opment and its operations; (b) ecofriendly technologies, respect for
ecology, and value of natural systems; (c) energy efficiency, less use
of finite fuels; (d) more walking, less driving; and (e) more local
production.
10. QOL that results from the previous aspects, where places are created
that enrich, uplift and inspire the human spirit.
Smart growth initiatives identify the relationship between development
patterns and QOL by implementing new policies and practices promot-
ing better housing, transportation, economic development, and pres-
ervation of environmental quality. It traces its roots back to the 1970s;
however, it was consolidated when Harriet Tregoning, then Director of
Development, Community, and Environment at the U.S. Environment
Protection Agency, developed the ten principles of smart growth in 1996.
At that time, many environmentalists were simply antigrowth, viewing all
development—without distinction—as hostile to the environment. These
principles succeeded in uniting a decentralised grassroots movement of
local and regional citizen activists and municipal leaders under the Smart
Growth banner [21].
The ten principles of smart growth are: (1) mix land uses; (2) take advantage
of compact building design; (3) create housing opportunities and choices for
a range of household types, family sizes and incomes; (4) create walkable
neighbourhoods; (5) foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong
sense of place; (6) preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and criti-
cal environmental areas; (7) reinvest in and strengthen existing communi-
ties and achieve more balanced regional development; (8) provide a variety
of transportation choices; (9) make development decisions predictable, fair
and cost-effective; and (10) encourage citizen and stakeholder participation
in development decisions [27].
3.4.2 Transit-Oriented Development
Also known as transit-oriented design, or TOD, this is the creation of com-
pact, walkable communities centred around high-quality train systems,
making it possible to enjoy a higher QOL without complete dependence on a
car for mobility and survival. It is a major solution to the serious and grow-
ing problems of peak oil and global warming by creating dense, walkable
communities connected to a train line that greatly reduces the need for driv-
ing and the burning of fossil fuels.
