Research suggests that the urbanization of land in Michigan is occurring rapidly and at a relatively low density, and that land is being consumed about eight times faster than population growth.  “Smart growth” encourages a more sustainable approach to land use planning and development through the implementation of various principles that attempt to protect critical resources while allowing necessary growth.  According to the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council’s 2003 report, Michigan’s Land, Michigan’s Future, key principles for Michigan include compact development that includes walkable neighborhoods and mixed land uses; direction of development towards existing communities while preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas; fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place; making development decisions predictable, cost-effective and fair; encouragement of community and stakeholder cooperation; provision of a variety of transportation choices; and, creation of a range of housing opportunities and choices.

The project involves surveying representatives of six land development professions – civil engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture, planning and law – in order to document perceived impediments to implementing smart growth principles and to identify ways to overcome these impediments.  Project results and recommendations, due in September, will be widely circulated throughout the land development community, and educational materials will be developed in order to help professionals take a more pro-active leadership role in future smart growth efforts.

Preliminary analysis of focus group discussions held in East Lansing and Grand Rapids in February reveals that development professionals perceive a number of key barriers to increased implementation of smart growth techniques.  These include existing zoning practices and professional training that encourages the separation of compatible as well as incompatible land uses; individual jurisdiction planning that ignores regional issues; individual and community abhorrence for higher density development; development so dependent on the automobile that it is difficult to design attractive, walkable communities; and, local officials unwilling to deal with development trends that are changing the character of their communities and driving up the cost of providing services.  Over two thousand land development professionals across the state will be receiving a more detailed mail survey over the next few weeks, thereby enabling the project team to make a more general assessment of current impediments and propose ways in which these impediments might be minimized or removed.

For more information about this project contact team leaders Dr. John Warbach of PZC (517-886-0555; warbach@pzcenter.com) or Dr. Sarah Nicholls of MSU (517-353-5190 ext. 118; nicho210@msu.edu).