Author Archives: Shelly Hazle

As part of our work with the Governors’ Institute on Community Design, Smart Growth America is seeking to augment our team with a contractor to act as technical experts at Governors’ Institute workshops. Smart Growth America is accepting proposals from firms interested in being part of a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for grant EPA-OP-OSC-12-01. The estimated project period for the grant will begin April 1, 2012, and may be up to five years.

Crossposted from the Governors’ Institute for Community Design

Policy plays an important role in building great places. That’s the message Governor Christine Todd Whitman delivered to leading civic leaders, policymakers, urban designers, and entrepreneurs participating in the Ford Foundation’s 75th anniversary forum on July 14, 2011.

Gov. Whitman, a key member of the GICD’s Governors’ Council, spoke about the importance of design in creating great places. Stating that “one of things we found early on is that part of what defines neighborhoods is their physical aspects – what they look like,” she discussed how elements such as front stoops allow for the the development of community. She recounted how, as Governor of New Jersey, she saw first-hand how many well-intentioned rules and regulations prevented such design elements and planning strategies from creating great places.

Applications for HUD’s Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program are due just before midnight on August 23. Grant Deadline: August 23, 2010, 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time Find out more about the program … here.

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan took to the White House Blog to talk about the importance of and goals of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. He wrote… For all the implications of “sprawl”—from job loss, economic decline and segregation, to obesity, …

In an effort to enhance livability and sustainability initiatives, DOT and HUD have created a new process that removes conflict between HUD and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) contracting requirements. The initiative was published in today’s Federal Register. From the Federal Register …

Webinar: National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER II Discretionary Grants) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Challenge Planning Grants Date/Time:  Thursday, July 1 at 2:00pm EDT The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and HUD have issued a joint solicitation …

Sustainable Communities Grant Program: Opportunities for Public Health Leadership and Healthy Community Design Date/Time: Wednesday, July 7, 1:00 – 2:30pm EDT Speakers will include: Rajiv Bhatia, Director of Occupational and Environmental Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health Karen Nikolai, …

Webinar: Sustainable Communities Grant Program: Making Equity in Housing, Transportation, and Jobs the Heart of Your Region’s Application Date/Time:  Wednesday, June 30, 3:00 — 5:00pm EDT Speakers will include: Maria Zimmerman, Deputy Director, HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities …

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on its draft FY 2011-2015 strategic plan, which helps advance Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities and the mission to protect human health and the environment.  Information about the plan and …

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new technical assistance program to help state capital cities design more sustainable communities. Greening America’s Capitals will assist state capitals, selected through a competitive application process, develop a vision of distinctive, …