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Smart Growth

John Celock

Georgia Republican Distances Himself From Obama 'Mind-Control' Lecture

HuffingtonPost.com | John Celock | Posted 11.19.2012 | Politics

The Republican majority leader of the Georgia state Senate is distancing himself from a lecture he organized last month for Republican senators in whi...

Are Lawns Bad?

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.27.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

I regard lawns as bad because they are like concrete to most species and have very little benefit for wildlife. But are lawns bad, considering all the other activities and consumption patterns we urbanites partake in?

When Romney Liked High Gas Prices

The New Republic | Alec MacGillis | Posted 03.22.2012 | Politics

As he campaigns for president, Mitt Romney is ratcheting up his attacks on Barack Obama over high gas prices, putting the issue at the center of his e...

Evaluating Green Communities: Part 5

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.15.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

When you think about it, a window has a complicated job: it must allow the sun's light to pass though, but not the sun's heat. It must keep cool conditioned air inside, but not have condensation on the outside of the glass.

Evaluating Green Communities: Part 4

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.13.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

You should not rely on a certificate as the sole indicator of how green your community is -- rely more on your "on-the-ground" analysis. Here are some things to look for.

Evaluating Green Communities: Part 3

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.11.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

Trails, sidewalks, and open spaces not only encourage residents to interact with their environment, but also promote a strong sense of community by facilitating interactions among neighbors.

Evaluating Green Communities: Part 2

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.08.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

If you (as the homeowner) decide to convert the lawn to more native landscaping, will you be able to do so without penalty?

Evaluating Green Communities: Part 1

Mark Hostetler | Posted 05.07.2012 | Green
Mark Hostetler

So you're buying a new home, and you're committed to "buying green" -- a house with good indoor air quality, that doesn't cost a fortune to heat and cool and resides in an ecologically friendly neighborhood. How do you find out about all that?

As the House Transportation Bill Languishes, There's Still Time to 'Fix It First'

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 04.23.2012 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

Americans are ready for an economically sound, people-friendly, and bipartisan transportation bill. It's a good thing our elected officials have extra time to meet those expectations.

Walkable Neighborhoods Gaining Popularity -- Even in the Suburbs

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 02.05.2012 | Green
Geoffrey Anderson

More and more Americans want to live in these affordable and accessible neighborhoods -- and the proof is in the prices of homes in these areas.

D.C. vs. the Green Apple: In Efficiency, We're Closer Than You Think

Brian Keane | Posted 11.29.2011 | DC
Brian Keane

New York City has it all: high-efficiency windows, hybrid taxis, low-flow appliances, underwater turbines and more. But let's face it: it's easy for cities to be efficient. What about the suburbs?

American Jobs Act's Project Rebuild Aims to Revitalize Vacant Homes

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 11.14.2011 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

It can be difficult for a city to recover when, on top of unemployment, homes are boarded up or downtown is empty. Project Rebuild's strategies are exactly how smart growth can help communities facing these challenges.

The Problem With Potholes: Neglected Road Repair Poses Huge Liabilities for Many States

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 08.02.2011 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

For decades, states have invested disproportionately in road expansion and left regular repair and preservation underfunded. As a result of these spen...

EPA Announces Plan to Abandon Kansas City -- at the Cost of the City and Taxpayers

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 06.15.2011 | Green
Geoffrey Anderson

To avoid small costs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be creating big costs for everyone, including the federal government.

Nurturing a Smart and Sustainable Community

John M. Eger | Posted 11.17.2011 | Healthy Living
John M. Eger

One of the more interesting paradoxes is that the more we live and work in cyberspace, the more important real place becomes.

On the Road to Recovery, Smart Transportation Policies Stimulate the Economy and Create Jobs

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

By prioritizing the care of existing infrastructure and public transportation, states can stretch precious transportation dollars further, put more Americans back to work, and help our economy grow.

A Sputnik Moment for Smart Growth

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out strategies for better education, better energy production, better transportation and better job creation. All of these strategies are key to a stronger American economy.

Village Green: Walkable Neighborhoods Enjoy More Trust, Participation

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

  A study by the Natural Resources and Earth System Science program at the University of New Hampshire finds that residents of neighborhoods wit...

Village Green: EPA Honors 5 Exemplars of Smart Growth

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

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Wasteful Development Subsidies Among Cuts Proposed by Debt Commission

Geoffrey Anderson | Posted 05.25.2011 | Politics
Geoffrey Anderson

If Congress really wants to rebuild our economy and spur job growth they should start by cutting federal subsidies that incentivize wasteful development and bankrupt our communities.

PHOTOS: These States Aren't Letting The Climate Bill Failure Stop Them

The Huffington Post | Alden Wicker | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green

Though the federal government may be hamstrung by man-made climate change deniers and dirty energy lobbyists, state governments are doing their part t...

Village Green: Seven Rules for Sustainable Communities

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

Patrick Condon, senior researcher at the Centre for Sustainable Design at the University of British Columbia, has a new book, Sustainable Communities:...

Village Green: Musings on Vacation Sites, Consumption, and Resilient Communities

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

  When one can afford it, travel can be a wonderful experience.  Many of us relish the adventure of seeing new places, eating new foods, ex...

Village Green: How Government Buildings Shape Community, and What to Do

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

We generally do not think of the federal government as having much of a role in the shape and function of our local cities and towns. But there are important ways in which it does.

Village Green: With the Oil Spill, What Will Become of Pass Christian?

F. Kaid Benfield | Posted 05.25.2011 | Green
F. Kaid Benfield

      “You’ve probably had your last really good Pass Christian oyster for a while,” Captain Louis Skrmetta of Ship...