1st Edition
Smart Growth and Sustainable Transport in Cities
This book delves into the urban planning theory of “smart growth” to encourage the creation of smart cities, where compact urban spaces are optimized to create transit-oriented, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly areas, with a clear focus on developing a sustainable, humanistic transport system.
Over the last century, increased demographic changes and use of motor vehicles in the wake of “urbanization” led to the rapid expansion of cities, giving rise to economic, social and environmental problems. Sprawls and extension into natural areas caused a scattered urban context replete with empty spaces. This book provides an effective solution to this with an overview of the historical application of smart growth principles as a response to the issue of sprawling cityscapes, and sheds light on the theoretical information and methodologies used by cities to re-develop the urban landscape. It also encloses a checklist for practitioners and decision makers to inform the developmental process and integrate smart growth strategies into land use planning.
This book effectively engages with the global problem of urban sprawl in cities and hence will be an asset to both urban planning professionals, and graduate and postgraduate students of urban studies and the related disciplines.
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: Smart Growth: From Theoretical Approaches to Practical Concepts
Abstract
An introduction to a necessity: What did Urban Sprawl do to the cities?
Compact city
Public Transit-oriented development (TOD)
Major public transit-oriented development policies
The benefits of implementing public transit-oriented development
Disadvantages of public transit-oriented development implementation
Obstacles to the implementation of public transport-oriented development
Types of public transit-oriented development
The definition of smart growth
Smart Growth or smart planning for urban growth
Smart Growth vs Urban Sprawl
Smart Growth: an opportunity for communities
Smart Growth from the perspective of transit
Smart Growth for improving the quality of life
Smart Growth: a solution for housing
Nature conservation by Smart Growth
Smart Growth: an effective step towards urban sustainability
Goals and objectives of Smart Growth
In Search of the principles of Smart Growth
The first Principle: Mixed use
The second principle: compact building design
The third principle: Creating a range of housing opportunities and choices
The fourth principle: creating walkable neighborhoods
The fifth principle: Fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
The sixth principle: Preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
Seventh principle: Strengthening and directing development towards existing communities
The eighth principle: Providing a variety of transportation choices
The ninth Principle: making development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
The tenth principle: encouraging community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
Additional principle, the need of collaboration of different players
The impact of Smart Growth on urban life
Urban Economy
Urban community
Urban environment
A brief look at the benefits of Smart Growth
Conclusion
References
Notes
CHAPTER 2: Smart Growth vs Urban Sprawl
Abstract
Introduction
What is urban sprawl?
The coinage of the term sprawl in urban literature
A brief overview of urban sprawl definitions
Causes of Urban Sprawl
Aspects of urban sprawl
Urban sprawl and economy
Urban sprawl and land use patterns
Urban sprawl and density
Urban sprawl and morphological patterns
The consequences of urban sprawl
The consequences of urban sprawl based on impact location
Types of consequences of urban sprawl
Urban sprawl versus smart growth
Conclusion
References
Notes
CHAPTER 3: A review of global experiences in evaluating urban development plans and policies based on smart growth
Abstract
Introduction
North America
The Idaho experiences
The California experience
The Maryland experience
The experience of Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe Smart Growth Plan
Portland Experience
San Diego Regional Comprehensive Plan
China
Beijing 2035
Shanghai 2050
India
New Delhi
Mumbai Smart Growth
Iran
Bojnourd City
Kerman
Discussion and conclusion
References
Notes
CHAPTER 4: a review of critiques of smart growth
Abstract
Introduction
Important criticisms of smart growth
Lack of attention to the residents’ preferences and, as a result, the failure in realization of smart growth policies socially and economically
Lack of concrete effects of increasing various public transport options on people's dependence on cars
The lowness of smart growth processes
Preventing the growth of urban suburbs
Making a strict layer of compliance with rules and regulations
land allotment and limitation of environmental dynamics
Restricting residential options and raising the cost of housing
Increasing legal regulations and creating social constraints
Traffic densification and mixed urban uses
Increasing urban density and social problems
Discussion and conclusion
References
CHAPTER 5: A comprehensive checklist of generalizable and achievable goals, strategies and policies for smart growth (With an emphasis on pedestrian-oriented transportation)
Abstract
Introduction
Reducing reliance on personal transportation providing a variety of transportation options
Optimal land use in line with targeted development in existing urban areas
Improvement and modification of level of service standards in the areas with public transport.
Proper connection of the local streets network to higher transportation levels
Proper connection of different types of transportation networks
Creating an area for centers of activity around transportation systems
Making pleasant and attractive walkways
Satisfying parking needs
Granting incentives to reduce traffic during busy hours
Coordinating different transportation services to take advantage of the full benefits of neighborhoods and developments supporting public transport
Making land use compatible with transportation
The use of a wide range of quality housing options for all income groups
Creating walkable communities
Appropriate mix of uses and density
Zoning based on form
Retrofit existing streets and sidewalks to create walkable neighbourhoods
Improving the comfort, convenience and safety of sidewalks
Establishing basic services near residential areas, workplaces and public transport routes
Designing pedestrian oriented commercial areas
Providing safety for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles
Increasing pedestrians’ field of view
Reducing the length of pedestrian crossings on the streets
Easy access for the disabled and underprivileged people to sidewalks, streets, parks and other public services.
Setting appropriate design standards for improving the quality of sidewalks
Traffic calming in residential neighbourhoods
Protecting and beautifying existing and new sidewalks
The presence of attractive edges on the street
The presence of voluntary and social activities on the streets
Increasing the readability of urban routes
Visual and physical permeability
Proper utilization of existing urban signs
Understanding the economic opportunities that encourage activity on footpaths
Creating an equilibrium between development and environmental protection
Proper utilization of various uses
Preventing urban sprawl: Moving towards planning and designing a compact city
References
Notes
CONCLUSION
Biography
Amir Shakibamanesh is an urban designer with more than 12 years of professional experience. He currently works as an associate professor of urban design at the University of Art, Tehran, Iran. He is the author or co-author of more than 25 scholarly articles and monographs, and the author of 8 books and book chapters. His research interests include urban modelling, urban simulation, virtual reality and urban scene analysis.
Mahshid Ghorbanian is an urban designer and planner with more than 10 years of professional experience. She currently works as an assistant professor of urban design and planning at the Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran. She is the author or co-author of more than 14 scholarly articles and monographs, and the author of 8 books and book chapters. Her research interests include urban modelling, urban spatial structure and health, morphological and visual analysis of city textures, and urban transportation in the complex city network.
Seyed Navid Mashhadi Moghadam is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Art and Architecture at Tarbiat Modares University in Iran. His research focuses on social aspects and dynamics in power distribution between citizens and governance.
