Working for Smart Growth:
More Livable Places and Open Spaces

 

Community Design

Byram Township Wins National Smart-Growth Grant

Friday, December 9th, 2011

In addition to winning a New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award, Byram Township has also won a national technical-assistance grant for its planned Village Center.

Compact Downtown Development Offers Property Tax Benefits

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

An analysis of properties in New Brunswick and the Morristown area finds that compact downtown developments pay significantly higher property taxes per acre than lower-density development located outside downtown areas.

Town’s Balanced Approach to Transportation Wins Leadership Award

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Hoboken’s adoption of a Complete Streets approach — which shifts the emphasis from accommodating more cars and parking to making roadways more convenient for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and automobiles — has earned the city a Leadership Award from Sustainable Jersey.

Planning Association Conference Includes Sessions on Current Smart-Growth Issues

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Presentations and other documents from several sessions at the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association’s annual conference.

Addressing Obesity Through Smart Planning

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Complete streets, safe routes to school and joint-use policies can help change the built environment and increase access to existing facilities, thereby offering multiple additional opportunities for physical activity.

Menendez Focuses on TOD Funding in Updated Livable Communities Act

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Sen. Menendez introduces an updated Livable Communities Act, including funding to spark private investment in transit-oriented development.

Summit Moves Toward Transit Village Designation, Future of Program Remains Uncertain

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011

The city of Summit’s planning board voted unanimously in favor of seeking Transit Village status with the NJ Department of Transportation, but the initiative could fall short should the DOT fail to commit to the Transit Village program this year.

Incomplete Report Card for Complete Streets

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

In an attempt to enhance safety and make roads more accommodating to bicyclists and pedestrians, the state Department of Transportation adopted a Complete Streets policy in 2009. This policy directs the department to design new roads and retrofit old ones to accommodate all users, not just drivers.

Density and Sprawl Are Not Mutually Exclusive

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Low density is certainly one of the dysfunctions of the dominant development pattern since 1950, but it is not the only one. Two other factors — segregation of destination types and a lack of connectivity in the local street network — also contrive to force people into their cars for most daily activities, even in neighborhoods with high housing density.

Smart Growth Photo Contest

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

The first annual Smart Growth Photo Contest was a great success, with over 130 entries. Congratulations to our grand prize winner, Andrew Svekla.

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