Mon 16 Feb, 2009
“Communities are facing new challenges in attaining economic growth, increasing wealth, and improving quality of life for residents.”
As part of our bedtime reading, we at Building Place have been reading the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publication entitled, ‘Economic Development and Smart Growth: 8 Case Studies on the Connections between Smart Growth Development and Jobs, Wealth, and Quality of Life in Communities.’
Here are some excerpts from the report, along with a few thoughts of our own (emphasis added)…
“For communities and businesses, attracting and retaining qualified employees is a major concern. To compete, many communities are employing innovative development strategies, often referred to as smart growth, that simultaneously support multiple economic and quality of life goals. Places that thrive in the new economy and attract an educated workforce are distinctive, attractive and rich in amenities. Existing infrastructure, proximity to employment, and access to transit are among factors that make communities attractive to developers, businesses and residents.”
“The current economy values proximity and clustering. Placing jobs, homes, shops and recreation in proximity increases business opportunities, helps create a sense of place, and can draw in talented workers. Clustering of firms also allows for interaction between employees, related businesses and even competitors. Proximity improves a firm’s access to ideas, suppliers and resources. Many firms are finding that job sites integrated with other uses like restaurants, shops and homes provide employees with choices and amenities rarely found in office parks.”
“In their classic text on local economic development, [Planning Local Economic Development: Theory and Practice], authors Edward Blakely and Ted Bradshaw note…that local governments need to “identify their quality of life attributes, build on them and effectively promote them to the business community.” Failing to invest in these attributes can have negative consequences for a local, state or regional economy.”
The IEDC/EPA report “highlights the connections between smart growth and economic development though the application of four smart growth strategies in the following eight communities:
- Transit-oriented development (Brewery Blocks, Portland, OR and Silver Spring Station, Silver Spring, MD)
- Revitalization of commercial corridors (East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA and Main Street program, Burlington, IA)
- Targeted area redevelopment and infill (Arena District, Columbus, OH and Belmar, Lakewood, CO)
- Creation of arts and entertainment districts (Fountain Square, Indianapolis, IN and Lower Town, Paducah, KY)”
While most of the case study communities are in larger urban areas, many of the redevelopment ideas and strategies can be adapted to small towns and cities as well. “Economic Development and Smart Growth” is a well written and readable report and a source of ideas and inspiration that can be applied to local challenges. Each case study is detailed enough, including development numbers, cost, and other data; while also offering engaging stories covering each project’s background and history.
Too many of the publications on the EPA’s smart growth website are laden with planning and environmental acronyms and buzzwords-of-the-day, but this one is worth the download.
To download an Adobe Reader .PDF file of the publication, click here or on the image above.