Although climate change is largely bringing a rise in global average temperatures, it also makes local weather patterns, including winter weather, more erratic. Though this past winter was unusually warm, climate change, in some areas, is and will continue to bring more frequent and severe snowfall and extreme temperatures. In order to protect residents, especially … Continued
Smart Growth America is working with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF) to bring the Complete Streets approach to the 49th state. I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Alaska in my first month on the Thriving Communities team, where I joined colleagues and collaborators to participate in several events aimed … Continued
Day 1 | 4:00-4:55 p.m. At the Equity Summit, we’ve invited partner organizations to lead workshop sessions to examine real-world equity implications in planning. Join the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, CityFi, and Center for Creative Land Recycling for engaging and interactive discussions to move what we hear at the Summit into practice. Check out the … Continued
Embarking on a trip to Hawai’i last week, I found myself amidst the lush landscapes and warm aloha spirit, tasked with a mission that resonates deeply with our work at Smart Growth America. Partnering with AARP Hawai’i, we delved into the complexities of affordable housing in the state, a challenge that is both urgent and pivotal to our mission. It was an honor to present our findings and engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Hawai’i State Senate Committee on Housing, sharing insights that could pave the way for sustainable housing solutions.
After over eight years at the helm, today Jair Lynch is transitioning from his role as President of LOCUS, Smart Growth America’s coalition of triple-bottom-line real estate developers and investors. As we thank Jair for his profound impact on LOCUS and the landscape of sustainable real estate development writ large, we wanted to share his reflections on his tenure.
By Barbara McCann The term complete streets was coined 20 years ago on December 3rd, 2003. That’s when, working in the private sector, I wrote a memo to the bicycle community about a series of meetings I organized aimed at finding a better term for what was then called the “routine accommodation” of bicycles into … Continued
The way we design and manage our streets holds immense power in shaping our communities. Yet, all too often, we prioritize the movement of cars over the safety and well-being of people. It’s time to challenge this status quo and implement a transformative approach to transportation planning—one that centers around the principles of Complete Streets. … Continued
Smart Growth America (SGA) is looking for an individual or small firm with experience in data visualization and visual storytelling to support a new effort that analyzes the need for both vehicle miles traveled reduction and vehicle electrification to meet greenhouse gas emissions goals. These visuals and animations should be interactive and will be displayed … Continued
Divisive infrastructure has had long-term damage, both tangible and intangible, on Black and Brown communities. While we are beginning to see policies, programs, and funding to combat the destructive legacies of past decision-making, work remains and barriers to finding solutions exist. This panel will discuss how street design, community engagement, and a holistic approach to … Continued
Smart growth practitioners seeking to advance equity in and through our work experience tremendous, often overwhelming, stressors and challenges on a daily basis that can lead to exhaustion and burnout. This workshop aims to help people engaged in equity and justice work become more attuned with how such stress may be showing up in our … Continued