1	"Smart Growth" Smart Growth A New Approach for the Democratic Party to Invest in America’s Future presented by DAF Environmental Policy Cmte members: Laurie Geller, Everett Wakai
2	"presentation overview:" presentation overview: Defining the problem Smart Growth: the current movement for more sustainable community development Smart Growth: a proposed broader movement for stronger national economic development
3	"Most people say they care..." Most people say they care strongly about environmental issues. 77% of voters agree that “The country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment.” But this attitude rarely affects people’s votes. Why?
4	"The Problem:" The Problem: The environment is framed as something “out there” that is separate from, and has little relevance to, most people’s daily lives and concerns.
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6	"The Problem:" The Problem: The environment is framed as something “out there” that is separate from, and has little relevance to, most people’s daily lives and concerns. The Solution: Reframe the discussion to demonstrate that environmental issues are an integral part of our lives, our economy, our security.
7	traditional framing: ‘policy silos’
8	reframing: policy integration
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15	Principles Of Smart Growth Mix land uses Take advantage of compact building design Create a range of housing opportunities and choices Create walkable neighborhoods Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities Provide a variety of transportation choices Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
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21	What Smart Growth “Is” And “Is Not”
22	Smart Growth Environment Û Quality of Life more vibrant, diverse neighborhoods; more beautiful, enjoyable, and convenient places to live, work, and play; less time spent driving and stuck in traffic, resulting in more free time and less stress; more mobility and independence for the young, the elderly, the poor, due to transit services and close proximity of shops, services, jobs, schools, recreation; more interaction among local citizens and a greater sense of safety and belonging within a community, better overall community image and sense of place.
23	Smart Growth Environment Û Local Economic Development lower municipal costs for utilities and infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and parking facilities higher and more stable property values for residents, and increased tax base for municipalities, due to the higher density of housing and businesses an environment conductive to incubating small locally-owned businesses a way to develop and maintain good housing, schools, jobs, shops, and services in core urban areas
24	Smart Growth Environment Û Health and Security Less car-dependent communities and lifestyles will alleviate leading U.S. public health problems : cardio-vascular disease and obesity respiratory disease and asthma car accidents Protection of green space and wetlands reduces vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, water pollution. Efficient public transport options facilitates emergency evacuations.
25	Smart Growth Environment Û Energy Efficiency ‘Energy Smart’ community design that reduces car dependence and promotes energy efficient neighborhood and building design holds immense potential: for drastically cutting fossil fuel consumption, thus curbing our nation’s ‘oil addiction’ and addressing climate change for reducing the vulnerability of individuals, businesses, and communities to increasing oil and gas prices
26	The Politics of Growth: State and Local Level Hundreds of Smart Growth ballot initiatives have been approved across the country: for setting urban growth boundaries for improving public transit for redeveloping inner-city zones Support is non-partisan. Even in very conservative areas, people are voting to raise their own taxes to pay for these measures. Increasing number of local, county, state ‘Smart Growth’ Commissions, Task Forces, etc. An increasing number of candidates for mayor, governor, state legislature, and congress are running (and winning!) on a ‘Smart Growth platform’.
27	The Politics of Growth: National Level ? Federal regulations and legislation in areas such as transportation, housing, and taxation have profound effects on community development nationwide. The Clinton administration took some leadership in promoting an agenda for ‘Building Liveable Communities’. But issue received very little attention in recent national elections. A potentially big issue in 2008 presidential race ? Last two elections were decided in the fastest growing counties in a few swing states, and growth is a top issue for voters in these counties.
28	Smart Growth Reframing the National Debate Environmental issues are usually framed in terms of costs and sacrifices, even by our ‘allies’ e.g.: “Confronting global warming need not be wrenching to our economy if we take simple sensible steps now.” - Senator Lieberman “I think the economic impact of climate change would be devastating. Our way of life is in danger. – Senator McCain What resonates more with the American people...... talk about the ‘Climate Stewardship Act’, or talk about issues such as the economy, unemployment, jobs moving overseas, and the trade deficit?
29	Smart Growth Environmental Protection= Economic Gain Major EPA programmes of the past three decades (e.g. Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund Sites) have had benefits not only for the environment, pubic health and safety, but also for economic gain, job creation, trade deficit, and international competitiveness.
30	Smart Growth ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES = ECONOMIC GAIN examples: wastewater treatment air pollution control site remediation solid waste management recycling clean industrial production technologies and processes renewable energies, energy conservation and efficiency
31	Smart Growth ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES = ECONOMIC GAIN U.S. Environmental Technologies are a $230 billion industry, more than 2 % of U.S. GDP $30 billion in exports, trade surplus of more than $2.6 billion 35,000 private sector companies; 87,000 public sector entities. Over 1.4 million high quality American jobs The global environmental technologies market: $550 billion. Renewable energies: approximately $19 billion in 2006
32	What does tomorrow look like? Major role for green ‘smart’ technologies.
33	Smart Growth Technologies and Smart Concepts Examples of American Leadership: Falcon Waterfree Technologies MBA Polymers GE CalCars
34	Smart Technologies example: Falcon Waterless Urinals saves ~ 40,000 gallons of water per year per urinal reduces need for new construction due reduced sewer treatment and energy consumption less expensive to purchase, install, use, and maintain China in preparation for the Olympic is now a huge market for FWT Marc Nathanson, Billionaire Democrat, is a majority shareholder and Chairman. The firm’s board includes Al Gore and former LA mayor Richard Riordan.
35	"example:" example: MBA Polymers Used plastics are recycled rather than incinerated or landfilled Consumes <10% of the energy of traditional chemical plants. 1 ton of recycled plastic produced = 2-3 tons of the CO₂ greenhouse gas not emitted into the atmosphere. Stricter regulations have created bigger recycling markets for plastics overseas The company has built plants in Austria and China, creating thousands of jobs overseas. But R&D has remained in the U.S. - a potential for creating U.S. jobs
36	"example:" example: General Electric ‘Ecomagination’ GE is trying to persuade Wall Street that clean energy can be a lucrative business. “green is green” GE is asking for government intervention on carbon emissions Double its revenues in clean technologies Double R&D to $1.5 billion, by 2010 More competitive products. China and India - high growth markets
37	"example:" example: CalCars Plug-in Hybird Vehicles: Replaces Liquid Fuel with Electricity Equivalent to $0.50-1.00/gallon Significantly lower air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (depending upon the source of electricity production) Developed by small-scale entrepreneurs/inventors, who found a way to adapt standard hybrid vehicle technology. Growing support from a broad coalition of industry leaders, unions, environmental groups, ‘security hawks’.
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42	U.S. as a leader in Smart Growth Technologies Greater energy independence Economic competitiveness Greater interdependence with our strategic competitors (e.g., China, India, Russia and South Africa) Greater diplomatic currency and security
43	"Gaining Voter Support." Gaining Voter Support. Smart Growth ideas and values can appeal to: working class, unions, and others concerned about job growth people living in economically decaying cities and towns business leaders and entrepreneurs who want new economic investment opportunities conservatives and others concerned with energy security senior citizens who want more freedom in mobility, and young people who want culturally exciting places to live parents who want more free time, and a safe and healthy environment for their kids environmentalists
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45	"for further info:" for further info: www.smartgrowth.org www.smartgrowthamerica.org www.epa.gov/smartgrowth www.SetAmericaFree.org www.ApolloAlliance.org www.EnergyFutureCoalition.org