A Sustainable SmartCode for Communities Impacted by Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Transcription

1 A Sustainable SmartCode for Communities Impacted by Natural and Man-Made Disasters Smart Growth & Sustainability University of Denver, Sturm College of Law Dave DeNovellis, Kimberly Jackson, Ian Rainey 20 April 2011

2 What We ll Cover In This Presentation What is a SmartCode? How can a SmartCode assist in reforming communities after disaster? Examples & Explanations Selected Aspects That Can Be Enhanced Brownfields Redevelopment The Creation of Walkable Communities Improvements on Housing & The Built Environment Conclusion & Final Thoughts

3 Introduction What Is A SmartCode? A document that directs new development Focus on unified land development Intended to replace existing zoning code Meant to be customized for individual communities adaptive to the unique wants and needs of each city, municipality, or region

4 Section I The Mission & Vision of SmartCodes

5 Mission & Vision Statement [Key Points] Mission Statement We are dedicated to helping communities impacted by natural and man-made disasters by transforming distressed regions into sustainable, adaptive communities that respect the historic values of the land, enhance the natural areas that remain, and foster a built environment that is sustainable, efficient, inclusive, and economically viable. By utilizing smart growth and sustainability techniques, we hope to help communities create a place where people choose to live, work, and play. Vision Statement Our SmartCode Strives to: 1. Foster growth and development in appropriate locations 2. Incorporate the concept of mixed land uses 3. Improve transportation sectors 4. Improve regional coordination 5. Rehabilitate and integrate brownfields and underutilized areas into the redevelopment picture 6. Provide adequate spaces for education, recreation, and community facilities 7. Embrace sustainable development practices in the built environment 8. Create a variety of housing options 9. Promote the protection of regional natural resources

6 Section II SmartCodes

7 What Is A Sustainable SmartCode Balance preservation and growth Collaborative effort among many interests Developers Property Owners Designers Builders

8 What The SmartCode Should Achieve Supportive of the community s vision going forward Strive to preserve the local character of the locality Conserve open lands Improve transit options Encourage walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods

9 The Two-Step Process Step One Information Gathering Step Two Creation of a Conceptual Framework Learning about the region before the disaster What did previous development look like What was the culture and interests that were shared? What do the residents that remain want to see? How should the city be rebuilt, using smart growth as a guide Identification of potential neighborhood centers Discuss ways to rebuild key business areas Possible redesign of main thoroughfares, pedestrian trails, etc. Locating temporary housing

10 The Need For A Sustainable SmartCode In Devastated Communities Recent global disasters lend credence to the need to look at ways to rebuild devastated areas Japan New Zealand Chile U.S. Gulf Coast & Midwest Greensburg, Kansas as an exemplar Keep the things that work, excise the things that don t

11 How To Create A SmartCode Charrette Discussion Groups An Introduction Small groups of a broad range of people looking at the big picture Two-pronged process Educate the Charrette Team Educate the local citizenry

12 Section III Concepts for SmartCodes

13 Brownfields An Introduction Real Property Complications arise when the presence or potential presence of a hazard is indicated Natural versus Man-Made Disasters Environmental versus Structural Brownfields The transformation of brownfields after a natural disaster (an expanding field) Brownfields as the perfect starting point for smart growth & sustainable development Old University of Colorado Health Sciences Center 9 th Ave. & Colorado Blvd. (just purchased last week)

14 Brownfields As A Template for Sustainable Development & Smart Repurposing of brownfields can: Revitalize blighted areas Support economic growth Advance environmental health goals Creation of a built environment that improves upon the prior use Brownfields as development guides Growth R.E.I. Flagship Store, Central Platte Denver Colorado [SmartWool Central]

15 Brownfield Redevelopment, Zoning Before A Disaster, and the Segue Into A SmartCode Critical to look at zoning and land use ordinances as they existed before the disaster Evaluate outdated models and plan for change Charrette group can then model changes to correct past deficiencies Some examples Development of a brownfield cleanup plan Segregation of uses that need to be addressed in the new SmartCode

16 What Makes An Ideal Brownfield Site? Ease of acquiring title and cost of purchasing the property Ability to incorporate mixed uses Size of the property Transportation Access Location (is the site designated as a historical district? Empowerment zone?) Access to major health, social, retail, and other institutions Level of contamination Mitigation of Liability Brownfield Sites, New York State

17 Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment Revitalization of blighted areas Reduction in sprawl Economic Development (Creation of new jobs) Healthier built environments Environmental benefits and open space Advances environmental justice Possible expansion of the local tax base Rincon Park, San Francisco, California

18 Funding For Brownfield Development Federal Funding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asset Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit Insurance Protection Act Job Training & Development Demonstration Pilot Program Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Programs Brownfields Economic Development Initiative Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Admin. (EDA) Economic Adjustment Program Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Social Services Block Grants State Funding State managed Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCP) Colorado C.R.S et. seq. [Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act]

19 Section IV Walkable Neighborhoods

20 The Characteristics & Benefits of Walkable Neighborhoods A drastic shift from traditional Euclidian Zoning Takes into account three related factors Distance Destination Density Conceived to create greater environmental, economic, and social benefits South Main Development Buena Vista, Colorado

21 Zoning for Walkable Neighborhoods: Mixed-Use Development, Increased Density, and Walkability Mixed Use Development Alleviates use segregation (residential + office, for example) SmartCode allows for flexibility of uses Increased Density Identification of neighborhood centers and focus density in these areas Walkability A pedestrian, cyclist frame of mind when planning & developing

22 Funding Opportunities For Walkable Neighborhoods Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants U.S. Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart Growth Grants Private Funding Sources Yes Abbey Road is part of a walkable neighborhood in the Camden borough

23 Section V Building Sustainable Housing Using The SmartCode

24 Neighborhood Design & House Placement Focus on building safer and greener Strategic placement of homes within the community Construction to take advantage of passive features Utilization of living fences and other natural features SmartCode Housing Development Burns Harbor, Indiana

25 Food & Water Social Impacts Food and Water Emphasis on community gardens and the use of a different kind of fruit tree in every yard Rain Gardens and Storm water management Social Impacts Community spaces for interaction Energy and resource conservation at the core of development of every space

26 Energy Conservation Goal of net-zero energy, masterplanned communities Each neighborhood On site solar and geothermal systems Each home Maximization of solar and geothermal energy Appropriate placement of windows and doors to increase efficiency Minimization of energy leaks

27 A Focus On Affordable Housing Builders can take advantage of federal, local and private funds for the construction of affordable housing Greater availability of aid for businesses can result in a greater desire to create more affordable housing options

28 Conclusion Putting It All Together The unfortunate truth natural disasters will continue to happen Important to think about what can and should be done to assist communities when natural disasters occur A shared goal of making communities better while retaining the special qualities they had prior to the event An issue that will continue during our time as practitioners no matter what discipline

29 A SmartCode Can Help Communities Rebuild After Natural & Man-Made Devastation We already have the tools we need to accomplish this very important task We simply need to take a different approach that is adaptive to each disaster, community, and client base. The use of a SmartCode in these communities is a great way to rebuild in a more sustainable way Wildfire encroaching on a residential development Sylmar, California (2008)

30 Questions? Thank you for sharing your time with us! Ian, Dave, and Kimberly