The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released an extensive new publication that serves as a guide for low-income, minority, tribal and overburdened communities to build smart, environmentally just, and equitable developments using strategies that are accessible and affordable. The guidelines build upon precedents of past successes within struggling communities, whether these struggles are in the face of discrimination, social or economic prejudices, or environmental injustive. The EPA identifies seven common elements that have been illustrated in in-depth case studies of communities that have struggled with those very issues. By targeting community groups, governmental agencies, private and non-profit partners, regional and local planners and residents of these communities, the EPA's smart growth guide for "Creating Equitable, Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Strategies for Advancing Smart Growth, Environmental Justice, and Equitable Development" seeks to bring access to valuable information about the inherent possibilities to creating healthful, sustainable, and prosperous communities under a variety of circumstances.
Join us after the break for a breakdown of the EPA's findings and how they address equitability in community development.
Let's begin by defining the various components of the EPA's plan. "Smart Growth" is a range of strategies that integrate environmental protection, public health, support for economic development, and strengthening communities. The basic principles, as defined by the Smart Growth Network, are mix land uses and transportation modes; apply compact building design to preserve open space; provide a range of housing choices; create walking neighborhoods; develop the values of the community and establish "place" through culture, history, economy and geography; preserve natural areas and open spaces; invest in existing communities; collaborate with investors and developers for fair, predictable and cost effective development; and encourage collaboration between community engagement and developers. These principles apply to a variety of scales and are simple guides that were developed in 1996 to give a framework for working communities and equitable development.
