SmartGrowth advocates claim that growth planning is necessary to create a "liveable and sustainable environment". If you've ever been to Edwards, it is all of that. So why is it being attacked? It seems that 1000 commissars of Washington don't think it's densely populated enough, and it hasn't rezoned itself in such a way as to provide adequate communal housing. Oh yeah, it's got too much parking. http://www.seattletimes.com/news/local/html98/edmo_19991220.html

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@crosswinds.net), December 21, 1999

Answers

Under capitalism man exploits man; under socialism the reverse is true. Polish Proverb

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), December 21, 1999.

I am not in total agreement with this paper, but it gives a more balanced perspective than most and it is from a fairly liberal source (The Brookings Institute) that wont immediately turn off the hard core liberals in the crowd. Even if you believe in SmartGrowth (and I dont) it still gives you some valid points to consider. From the Brookings Institute: http://www.brookings.org/comm/policybriefs/pb044/pb44.htm

Fit for Fat City: A "Lite" Menu of European Policies to Improve Our Urban Form Policy Brief #44January 1999 rban sprawl in the United States reflects distinctive geographic, demographic, and economic circumstances, but also results from a unique combination of public policies. American and European cityscapes are shaped in part by fundamental differences in how societies have organized everything from national tax and transportation systems, to housing strategies, agricultural subventions, energy conservation efforts, protection of small businesses, and local fiscal responsibilities. While most of the public agenda abroad cannot, and should not, be mimicked here, some general aspects are decidedly worth contemplating. They suggest ways that U.S. cities could benefit from selective revisions of our tax structure, transportation budget, public housing program, and federal regulatory framework. By Pietro Nivola

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crosswinds.net), December 21, 1999.

While I am not an advocate of uncontrolled growth and therefore am in favor of some level of growth management, I fail to see any reason for the City of Edmonds to pay any attention to a report coming from the 1000 Friends of Washington. Does this group have some authority over Edmonds that was not mentioned in the article?

-- Gene (Gene@Gene.com), December 21, 1999.

They have strong clout with the growth management people in King County and the State. But no real authority.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), December 21, 1999.