2.0

credits

Average Course Rating

For the past twenty years smart growth has had an increasingly significant impact on the built environment. Smart growth results in better cost-benefit outcomes for both developers and the public sector, more efficient and appealing land use in prime locations, and new financing tools. This course provides an understanding of historic development patterns of cities and towns, the emergence of the American suburb, and the countervailing smart growth approach. Examined are the principles behind smart growth, the demographic and economic forces furthering the widespread adoptions of these principles—urban revitalization, smaller households, a more transient workforce and racial and ethnic diversity. The growing strength of the Baby Boomers and the Millennials on the market is discussed. Attention is given to the increasingly important impacts of climate change, sustainability, changing tools of economic development competitiveness, health and equity of communities. The main tools of smart growth, such as higher density, mix of land uses, transportation and housing choices, transit-oriented development, walkable neighborhoods, and form-based zoning are examined. Collectively many of these tools are parts of Complete Streets policies. The impacts of public policies and private demand are discussed.