Blog - Page 135 of 310 - Smart Growth America

The benefits of Complete Streets — and how to measure them

By Stefanie Seskin · March 10, 2015

The National Complete Streets Coalition is coming out with two new resources detailing the benefits of Complete Streets projects, and how to measure them.

Safer Streets,
Stronger Economies

Coming out March 24, 2015
1 PM EDT

How well do Complete Streets projects achieve transportation goals like safety and throughput? How do they support broader economic efforts? This new research looks at data from dozens of Complete Streets projects from across the country to compare the outcomes communities get from their investments. Join the online kickoff discussion to hear about the success some cities have had with Complete Streets.

Evaluating Complete Streets Projects

Coming out March 31, 2015
1 PM EDT

A Complete Streets approach connects community goals to transportation investments, and measuring the performance of these projects can help communicate that connection. This introductory guide will provide an overview of how to evaluate Complete Streets projects, including the measures and metrics most useful to common goals, and a handy list of resources for more in-depth application.

Councilmember Amber Waldref on improving corridors and quality of life for residents in Spokane, WA

By Claire Jaffe · March 9, 2015

City of Spokane, WA. Photo via City of Spokane on Facebook.

At the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Spokane, WA, is using smart growth to manage growth and improve quality of life for residents.

Spokane is a scenic city centered on the Spokane River with a population of 210,000. According to Amber Waldref, District One Councilmember and member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council, the city is an “urban area with a small town feel.” Several smart growth projects—including updating design standards, a new form based code, improved transit, and building incentives downtown—will help Spokane be the vibrant, walkable city that residents desire.

Local Leaders Council Washington

Announcing the winners of the inaugural LOCUS New England Leadership Awards

By Megan Pierce · March 5, 2015

Since 2012, LOCUS Developers: Responsible Developers and Investors has presented our National Leadership Award to developers or investors who demonstrate exemplary commitment to furthering LOCUS’s mission of public leadership and advocacy in support of smart growth development.

This year, we are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever LOCUS New England Leadership Awards.

LOCUS LOCUS LOCUS events LOCUS Leadership Award LOCUS Leadership Summit LOCUS New England Leadership Award The HYM Investment Group Twining Properties

Mason, MI is growing from the inside out

By Jessica Holmberg · March 3, 2015

Mason Aerial Downtown Mason, MI. Photo courtesy of the City of Mason.

Mason, MI, established in the 19th century as a small town center, eventually became the seat of the surrounding county while vying to become the new state capital. Although Lansing, located just to the north, was ultimately selected as the capital, Mason has managed to remain a small but distinct community while experiencing population growth of roughly 20 percent in the last decade.

“Mason is a very friendly and welcoming place where people take a lot of pride in the community,” says Mayor Pro Tem Marlon Brown, a member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council. “Ultimately, what makes Mason so special are the people.”

Local Leaders Council Economic Development LLC Local Success Michigan Midwest

Join Somerville, MA Mayor Joseph Curtatone at the 2015 LOCUS New England Leadership Summit

By Justin Bensan · February 26, 2015

Somerville is one of the most walkable cities in New England, and the city’s transformation has not slowed down.

Learn how the city has helped facilitate this transformation from Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone at the 2015 LOCUS New England Leadership Summit, March 11, 2015 in Boston, MA. You’ll hear how the city and private sector worked together, and learn about new development opportunities in Somerville and across New England.

LOCUS LOCUS LOCUS events

Building great places in the Los Angeles area? Join our LOCUS LinkUP on March 26

By Justin Bensan · February 26, 2015

Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade isn’t the only walkable neighborhood in the Southern California anymore. Photo by LandAinLA.

Southern California is going through an urban transformation that’s making the region more walkable, one city block at a time—and we are bringing together the people making it happen.

Developers and investors working on walkable real estate projects are invited to join us on Thursday, March 26, 2015 for the LOCUS LinkUp: Building the Next Walkable Places in Southern California.

LOCUS California Events LOCUS LOCUS events LOCUS LinkUp Los Angeles

Registration now open for the 2015 Local Leaders Council Policy Forum

By Claire Jaffe · February 25, 2015

Are you a local leader working to build a robust downtown, expand housing choices, or create healthy neighborhoods? If so, we want you to join us in Washington, DC this spring.

Elected and high level appointed officials from around the country are invited to Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council second annual Policy Forum from May 31 to June 1, 2015 in Washington, DC. The Local Leaders Council is a bipartisan group of over 200 councilmembers, mayors, agency directors and county officials who share an interest in smart growth.

Local Leaders Council Events Policy Forum 2015

Coming soon: "The WalkUP Wake-Up Call: Boston"

By Smart Growth America · February 25, 2015

Walkable real estate development projects and places are on the rise nationwide. Over the past year, LOCUS has looked at how these trends are playing out in Atlanta and Washington, DC.

On March 11, we’ll reveal new analysis of which walkable urban places—or “walkUPs”—are changing the real estate landscape in another major American city: Boston.

The WalkUP Wake-Up Call: Boston will, for the first time ever, analyze the different forms and economic use of all land use across metro Boston and rank Boston-area communities based on economic and social equity metrics.

LOCUS Boston Events LOCUS Massachusetts Reports WalkUP Wake-Up Call WalkUps

Complete Streets News — February 2015

By Stefanie Seskin · February 18, 2015

Photo by David Moisan, via Flickr

Read

Take the USDOT Mayors’ Challenge — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has issued a call to action, challenging local leaders to significantly improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in the next year. The first of seven identified action steps is to adopt a Complete Streets approach. Any level of jurisdiction can join the initiative and attend the kick-off summit in DC next month. Read more >>

Best Complete Streets policies of 2014 — This year’s best Complete Streets policies report has arrived! We’re excited to name Ogdensburg, NY, a community of The City of Ogdensburg, NY, located on the northern border of the state and home to 11,000 people, adopted 2014’s best-written policy, which scored a total of 92.8 points of a possible 100. To celebrate, we hosted an online discussion with representatives from a few of this year’s top-scoring communities. Check out the recording and recap of the kickoff event >>

Complete Streets Local Leaders Council Complete Streets News

Town Supervisor David Tennent on connecting communities in rural Campbell, NY

By Claire Jaffe · February 13, 2015

Town of Campbell, NY. Photo via Town of Campbell website.

Residents of Campbell, NY, want a vibrant main street while maintaining their rural atmosphere. David Tennent, Town Supervisor and member of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council, is using smart growth strategies to improve walkability, foster local business, and enhance natural resources to provide the Campbell that the residents desire.

Local Leaders Council Technical assistance New York