Some Smart Growth Web-Sites

Selected and annotated by:  Joseph H. Konen, District Specialist, Urban Programs
Ohio State University Extension, Northeast District
1680 Madison Avenue , Wooster, OH 44691-4096
Voice: 330-263-3831   Fax: 330-263-3667   Email: konen.2@osu.edu


http://www.sustainabilityindicators.org/
The International Sustainability Indicators Network is a member-driven organization that provides people working on sustainability indicators   with a method of communicating with and learning from each other.  Through listserv discussions, virtual and in-person meetings, and special programs and trainings, the Network facilitates shared learning and development among sustainability indicators practitioners and others.

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/jrap/frontpage.html
The Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy is published for the Mid-Continent Regional Science Association by the Center for Community Economic Development at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. THE JOURNAL is published twice annually during June and December and at times contains articles that relate to smart growth.

http://www.neighborhoodcoalition.org/smartgrowth/whatis.asp
The National Neighborhood Coalition: The Voice for Neighborhoods.  Solid information about smart growth is available in NNC’s Neighborhoods, Regions, and Smart Growth Toolkit.  The toolkit provides a road map for finding common ground between the communtiy development and smart growth movements, and working together to achieve common goals.  They say of themselves:
“The NNC is a convener of people and organizations concerned about neighborhoods, a conduit of information about programs and policies, and an advocate for neighborhoods and community and  neighborhood-based organizations.

http://www.livablecities.org/index.htm
The International Making Cities Livable Council (IMCL)is an interdisciplinary, international network of individuals and cities dedicated to making our cities and communities more livable.  IMCL Council members are active in organizing and participating in the International Making Cities Livable Conferences held twice a year, once in North America and once in Europe.  They have an excellent bibliography and other resources.

http://www.rut.com/index.html
Radical Urban Theory – Writings on the modern urban condition, Edited by  Mtthew Jalbert.
These resources are in depth but with a definite perspective.

http://www.nycfuture.org
The Center for an Urban Future is a New York City-based think tank that fuses journalistic reporting techniques with traditional policy analysis to produce in-depth reports and workable policy solutions on the critical issues facing our cities.  The reports available here seem in depth and current.

http://www.smartgrowth.org/default.asp
Smart Growth Online  -- A Service of the Smart Growth Network (SGN).  An on line newsletter and other in depth resources are offered at this site.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took the lead and joined with several environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional organizations, developers, real estate interests; local and state government entities to form this group. The SGN works to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment. It’s goals are to : a. raise public awareness of how growth can improve community quality of life; b. promote smart growth best practices; c. develop and share information, innovative policies, tools and ideas; and d.  cultivate strategies to address barriers to and advance opportunities for smart growth.

http://www.fundersnetwork.org/
Welcome to the new website of the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. This site has two levels:  one for funders who are registered with the group for log-on and one for visitors which provides help to organizations interested in advancing smart growth. 

http://www.nrdc.org/cities/smartGrowth/default.asp
Natural Resources Defense Council --  has a Smart Growth initiative present on this site.  The site seems more a description of their work in this area than comprehensive resources

http://www.smartgrowth.umd.edu/
The National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education provides up to date research on smart growth currently being developed through the University of Maryland. The Center offers opportunities for both education and training, as well as a review of current research and publications being developed by the faculty and staff.  The site is of unequal functionality. 

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/sprawl/index_flash.html
National Geographic New Urbanist Neighborhood is a virtual introduction to a new urbanist neighborhood and provides lesson plans for teachers.  Quality is high. 

http://empact.geog.kent.edu./
Kent State University has provided an Urban Growth Simulator Site  for Northeast Ohio at this site.  Part of the KSU EMPACT project, the site was developed by Applied Geography Laboratory at Kent State University.  There is an overview of the technology,  detailed literature review and other information at the EMPACT Urban Sprawl site. http://gis.kent.edu/gis/empact/ 

http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/
EcoCity Cleveland is the nonprofit organization that promotes ecological design, smart growth, and transportation choices in Northeast Ohio. They work to create a metropolitan region that helps people live in greater balance with nature.  The site is mainly about their work and projects. The publications section is very strong.

http://www.urbanfutures.org/index.cfm
The Urban Futures Program provides market-oriented information.  The group strives to change the climate and terms of the debate over urban policy by developing and promoting voluntary, private-sector, and market-oriented solutions to urban problems. The program's principal activities focus on urban economic development policy and land-use planning at the local, regional, state, and national levels.  The site has strong resources available for download including peer-reviewed articles.  
 
 

 

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