EPA honors smart growth

Five communities in three states received 2004 National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which praised the communities for innovative approaches to development “that strengthen community identity and protect the environment.” The goals of smart growth are closely aligned with New Urbanism, and many of the winners are employing new urban planning principles. The Planning Department of the Town of Davidson, North Carolina, won the award for overall excellence because of the town’s superior implementation of its planning ordinance and land plan. The town is revitalizing existing buildings and has issued design guidelines that preserve its small-town atmosphere. New neighborhoods feature parks within a five-minute walk of residents, along with a variety of lot sizes and housing types, including affordable housing. A number of new urbanists, including David Walters of the University of North Carolina and Dover, Kohl & Partners, have helped set up the town’s planning framework. The Department of Housing and Community Development of the City of Greensboro, North Carolina, received the award for built projects because of the Southside neighborhood, just one-and-a-half blocks from Greensboro’s historic main street. New development and revitalization of existing structures transformed this blighted area into a thriving, attractive district. Southside was planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Associates and developed by Nate Bowman, both new urbanists (see October 2004 New Urban News for a feature on Southside). The Department of Housing and Community Development of the City of Santa Cruz, California, received the award for policies and regulations for its Accessory Dwelling Unit Program. Santa Cruz, south of San Jose, is increasing and diversifying housing choices by making it easier to build accessory units — separate residences created by converting all or part of a garage or by building new structures on a homeowner’s property. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments received the award for community outreach and education, in honor of its Sacramento Region Blueprint: Transportation/Land Use Study. The Blueprint study brought together more than 5,000 citizens and 30 agencies as well as businesses to help plan how and where the region will grow. Over two years, participants explored land use, housing, and transportation choices and then evaluated and voted on four proposed scenarios. The chosen scenario became the basis for a regional plan that extends until 2050. The Office of the Governor of the San Juan Pueblo Tribe, north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, won the award for small communities for a master land-use plan that honors Native American heritage while encouraging economic growth and providing needed housing. The first of its kind for a Native American community, the plan and process are models for tribes and communities around the country. In 2003, a 40-unit, mixed-income, rental housing project was completed, exhibiting a culturally appropriate, affordable design. For more information about the winners, visit www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm. u