Look who’s for smart growth

The number of allies grow, but the principles remain the same. The support for the New Urbanism and smart growth gets wider all the time. To the list that includes many environmental groups, governors, mayors, planners, transit advocates, and developers (both for-profit and not-for-profit), we can apparently add the health profession, labor, and the Pope. Okay, maybe not the Pope, but at least the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. Until about a year ago, the idea that the health profession would be a strong supporter of the New Urbanism wasn’t on the radar screen. But then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta launched Active Community Environments, a program based on research which shows that disconnected suburban land development discourages walking — and decreases in walking contribute to obesity and disease. Now the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit funder of health programs, has pledged $24.5 million to promote and better understand how community design can boost physical activity. It is puzzling why foundations have been not been stronger supporters of smart growth — just based on the concept’s potential for improving quality of life, revitalizing cities, and reducing environmental damage of development, you’d think a lot of money would be flowing this way. But most charitable foundations have done little more than dip a toe in the waters of New Urbanism. Now comes — from a rather unlikely source, a nonprofit specializing in health issues — the first multimillion dollar foundation grant directly linked to smart growth. But that’s one of the strengths of the New Urbanism. It potentially appeals to so many people, for so many different reasons, that if support from some quarters seems sluggish, somebody is bound to take up the slack. Big labor comes aboard Columnist Neil Peirce reports that the AFL-CIO has approved a resolution directing its leaders to engage in the smart growth/urban sprawl issue, and the organization clearly recognizes that maintaining healthy cities is in its interest. The Archdiocese of Detroit, which has seen the city’s population and economy wither for decades, also is recognizing the connection between land use patterns and the strength of urban communities. These groups are beginning to understand, from their own perspective, what new urbanists have been saying for years — that the quality of the built environment is inextricably linked to the nation’s well being. It is good that these groups are coming to the table. More are bound to in the future, because smart growth makes sense. Yet each of these groups has their own spin on smart growth, interpretations which may or may not be totally in line with views of new urbanists. The strength of the New Urbanism, as a practice and a movement, is its clear vision, one that can be drawn and photographed as well as articulated. New urbanists are idealistic, but also pragmatic. They excel at getting things done. Even the ideals, such as building walkable, mixed-use communities, have a common sense ring to them. That is why so many groups are lending their support. New urbanists should welcome them on board, while avoiding joining a coalition of special interests. Meanwhile, we’ll await the Vatican’s blessing.