Leaders from communities across the Western
U.S. convened in San Diego on Nov. 18 and 19 for Smart Growth
in the Western States, a landmark conference on implementing
the resource-efficient development principles and practices that
have come to be termed "smart growth.'' The site was the historic
Hotel del Coronado.
Held in conjunction with the national Third Annual Partners
for Smart Growth Conference, November 17 and 18, the event
was cosponsored by the Local Government Commission, the Urban
Land Institute and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
The Western states conference provided a forum for local government
officials, developers, builders, lenders, architects, planners,
economic development professionals, and environmental and neighborhood
activists to learn about tools for creating vibrant, pedestrian-
and transit-friendly communities in the West to conserve our stunning
landscapes, farmland, air and water quality, local economies,
and quality of life.
Specific session topics included:
- overcoming financial, zoning and other barriers to smart growth
- the importance of smart growth to the business community
- means for local governments and developers to collaborate
on mutually beneficial projects
- non-traditional partnerships that align cities, counties,
school districts, and business interests
- and resource efficient designs for land use, storm water management,
and building construction.
The agenda also included the 1999
Ahwahnee Awards ceremony which showcased new, integrated approaches
to creating more "livable" communities. Special tours of exciting
projects in the San Diego area were held on November 19 and 20.
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