Stakeholder groups encouraged to propose and help facilitate a range of workshop topics to advance an agenda for Sustainable Prosperity

Grow Smart's inaugural Power of Place Summit in 2006 drew nearly 500 people and helped to launch Rhode Island's new smart growth-oriented state land-use plan, Land Use 2025.

On May 2nd, 2008 state and local decision-makers, builders and developers as well as architects, engineers, nonprofit groups, citizens and other community stakeholders will reconvene for a closer look at how the growth and development choices we make today will impact our economy, environment, public health, efficiency of government and how they permanently shape the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

The Summit will look at what's working and what needs to be further improved to grow our innovative economy, revitalize our walkable centers, conserve open space and reduce global warming pollution, among other key goals for a prosperous and sustainable future.

View instructions / form for submitting a proposal

The Grow Smart RI Land-Use Training Collaborative is still accepting registrations for an upcoming workshop entitled Design Strategies for Mixed-Use Development. The one-night session will be offered on December 11 in North Smithfield.

This workshop will look at the elements that contribute to the livability of our urban and town centers, design strategies for successful mixed-use development, environmental design and regulatory issues and how to make the most efficient use of limited sites. No matter how you're contributing to shaping your community's future - as an official, developer, designer or active citizen - this workshop will provide an opportunity to gain useful new insights and knowledge.

Featured speakers include Arnold Robinson, AICP of the Newport Collaborative Architects Inc., Donald Powers, AIA, CNU of Donald Powers Architects Inc., Ross Speer, AIA of Mostue & Associates Inc., and Scott Millar of the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Click here for registration information

Grow Smart acknowledges and thanks the many individuals and organizations who provided us with generous financial support during the third quarter of 2007 (July-September). Tax deductible donations to Grow Smart help to sustain our work in developing and advocating development policies and incentives that expand economic opportunity while safeguarding and enhancing Rhode Island's distinctive quality of place.

See how easy it is to make an online donation.

Individuals

Grow Smart is among the 10 regional and local planning proposals that will split $359,250 in 2007- 2008 under the Statewide Planning Program's Planning Challenge Grant Initiative

Supported with planning funds provided through the Federal Highway Administration, the Planning Challenge Grant program provides seed funding for statewide, regional, and local planning initiatives that advance innovative solutions to address land use and transportation challenges faced by Rhode Island communities.

Grants were awarded to seven municipalities, two non-profit organizations, and one state agency and will support planning projects having an estimated value, including sponsor-match and leveraged funds, of over $800,000.

The $65,000 grant to Grow Smart will be used to support the award-wining Grow Smart RI Land Use Training Collaborative, including at least 14 workshops on topics such as mixed use development and financing, access management, density, affordable housing, and roles and responsibilities in the state and local planning and project review processes.

Click HERE to see a description of all funded proposals.

November 1st New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum focused on need for more efficient, less polluting transportation alternatives

How much impact does land use have on emissions and energy efficiency? If one city, region or state ties land policies to reducing emissions, will the impact be diluted because the neighboring jurisdiction does not?

Those were some of the questions that planners and policy leaders wrestled with at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's New England Smart Growth Leadership Forum, attended by about 100 people at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Nov. 1.

Among the speakers were Armando Carbonell, chair of the Department of Planning and Urban Form at the Lincoln Institute, Geoff Anderson, director of the EPA's Development, Community and Environment Division, Douglas I. Foy, former secretary of the Office for Commonwealth Development in Massachusetts and Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart Rhode Island.

Read More

Global economic competition, metropolitan congestion, and climate change are among the new dynamics that require new thinking in the nation's transportation system of the future. Those are among the findings of Transportation: Invest in Our Future -- A New Vision for the 21st Century, a major report released recently by organizations representing the nation's major transportation builders, providers, and users.

Participating groups include the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); AAA; the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC); the American Highway Users Alliance; the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA); the American Trucking Associations (ATA); the Association of American Railroads (AAR); and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

New survey: Americans prefer to spend more on mass transit and highway maintenance than new roads

Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads, according to the 2007 Growth and Transportation Survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Smart Growth America.

Read the survey results

The September issue of the AARP Bulletin includes the feature article ''Street Smart'' -- a focus on improving America's street design to allow more access for all members of the public: walkers, bikers, and the disabled.

The article begins with a focus on Kirkland, Washington -- a town that is attracting official visitors from other municipalities that want to follow its lead and design public thoroughfares that accommodate everyone, not just those who drive. The visitors -- from urban centers and sprawling suburbs alike -- want to learn how to keep traffic moving without adding new lanes and how to make busy roadways safe for bike riders and walkers. With Americans aging and facing mobility challenges, communities are looking for ways to help residents get around safely. [More]

Watch a brief video that illustrates a

Land-Use Planner - Part-time Project Manager

Administrative Assistant - Part-time

Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements by 12/14/07 to tina@aquidneckplanning.org

Click here to let us know if you would like your land-use/water resources related conference or workshop listed on our CommunityConnectionRI Calendar.

Thursday, November 29, 2007 (11:00a - 12:00p)

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