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Week of April 28, 2003

Front Page

President's Message

* Green Building Is on the Rise

Housing and Economics

* New-Home Sales Rebound Strongly in March
* Home Prices Expected to Climb at a Slower Pace
* Recovery Road Longer for Some Cities Than Others
* Spotlight on: Boston
* Eye on the Economy

Housing Politics

* State Construction Defect Legislation Progresses Steadily

Green Building

* New Storm Water Practices Gain Popularity in Wisconsin
* Studies Show Advantages of Low Impact Development
* ‘Green’ Products Increasingly Common in U.S. Homes
* New Homes Save on Energy

Building Quality

* Awards Recognize Quality in Home Building

Small Builders and Remodelers

* In Alabama, May is Remodeling Consumer Protection Month

Multifamily

* Apartment Demand Slackens

Seniors Housing

* New Study Provides Insights on Senior Home Buyers

Business Management

* Rein in Your Cycle Time and Boost Profits, Control Costs

Sales & Marketing

* Sales and Marketing Respond to Hard Times
* Million Dollar Circle Awards Deadline Nears

Construction Safety

* OSHA on the Lookout for Scaffolding Violations

Smart Growth

* Think Tank Advocates Education on Growth Issues

Housing Finance

* Opportunity for Developers at California Air Force Base

Labor

* Indiana Students Introduced to Construction Careers

Member Dividends

* NAHB Members Prepared to Meet the Press

Building Products

* Vent-Free Gas Products Provide Home Heating Advantages

International

* Workshop Set for Housing and Business Opportunities in Mexico

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

Think Tank Advocates Education on Growth Issues

Smart growth isn’t going to happen until people understand how and why it is in their best interest, according to an urban development think tank based in San Francisco.

“In most cities, virtually every significant proposal for infill development meets with opposition,” writes Gabriel Metcalf, deputy director of the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), in an article for the Urban Land Institute (ULI). “Things that do make new development smarter from an environmental standpoint — like reducing parking or increasing density — often bring community opposition at such a fevered pitch that even the most supportive elected officials run for cover.”


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SPUR seeks to bridge the communications gap between the development community and  no-growth activists.

In a book explaining how to educate the public about the benefits of smart growth, the group boils the process down to four essential steps:

  • Describe the patterns that make up the city. Explain why certain neighborhoods are valued and the planning that brought them into being.
  • Show how these patterns can be extended. Explain how good planning can help transform and revitalize blighted neighborhoods.
  • Make the case for why the city needs to change. Explain what will happen if the city does not meet housing demand. Discuss the importance of community values such as diversity, tolerance and social justice, and explain how city planning affects these issues.
  • Express all of these concepts as policies advanced through the city’s master plan. Present it in a way that clearly explains to residents how the city can evolve in ways that will enhance its livability and vitality.


BuilderBooks.com offers a variety of land development publications online, including enviromental and green building publications. To view or purchase these publications, click here.
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