Colleges Towns
Among Recipients of
National Award for
Smart Growth Achievement
from EPA
"This year's winners are excellent models of smart growth achievement.
I salute these winners for their outstanding achievements and challenge
others to follow their example in protecting the environment and improving
the quality of life of our great nation."
- EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt
ABOUT THE AWARD
The National Award for Smart Growth Achievement was created
by EPA in 2002 and is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics,
and Innovation. The 2003 call for entries resulted in 112 applications from
31 states and the District of Columbia.
Each award recipient has incorporated the principles of
smart growth to create places that respect community culture and the environment,
foster economic development, and enhance quality of life. The winning entries
were selected based on their replicability and effectiveness in advancing
smart growth and also reflect community participation and partnerships.
This year, a new, rotating fifth category was created to
high-light smart growth innovations in a specific area. The Public Schools
category demonstrates how K – 12 schools can adopt smart growth approaches
and meet the educational needs of students. In particular, these schools
are integrated into existing neighborhoods, create centers of community,
and provide transportation options for schoolchildren. Future years will
focus on other topics to capture the breadth of outstanding smart growth
activity.
A small community, Davidson is setting the standard for
creating healthy and vibrant neighborhoods in a historic setting. The town
is revitalizing its existing buildings, and its new neighborhoods incorporate
a variety of lot sizes and housing types, including affordable housing,
and neighborhood parks within a five-minute walk.
For More Information:
Kris Krider
Planning Director
Town of Davidson Planning Department
Tel: 704-892-7591 kkrider@ci.davidson.nc.us
BUILT
PROJECTS
Southside Neighborhood
City of Greensboro, Department of Housing and Community Development
Greensboro, North Carolina
The redevelopment of the Southside neighborhood, just one-and-a-half
blocks from Greensboro's historic main street, transformed a blighted area
into a thriving, attractive district. The community capitalized on a rich
stock of historic buildings and public spaces to restore this downtown neighborhood.
"Southside benefited from a general downtown renaissance,
but also helped to give momentum to that turnaround."
Andy Scott
Director
Department of Housing and Community Development
POLICIES
AND REGULATIONS
Accessory Dwelling Unit Program
City of Santa Cruz, Department of Housing and Community Development
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is increasing and diversifying housing choices
by making accessory units easier to build. This program gives homeowners
an additional source of income and creates more affordable housing.
"…as my parents reached retirement age and found
that they could no longer climb the stairs to the second story bedroom,
they began looking for alternative ways of staying in the neighborhood….With
the help of the city's revised accessory dwelling unit ordinance, the design
workshops, and the ADU loan program, we are now building the 'granny unit'
of my parents' dreams."
David A. Foster
Homeowner
Santa Cruz
For More Information:
Carol Berg
Housing and Community Development Manager
City of Santa Cruz, Department of Housing and Community Development
Tel: 831-420-5108 cberg@ci.santa-cruz.ca.us
College town life
College towns make great hometowns. Students, singles, families, working people,
and retirees all can find connections and a niche for themselves in the wide
variety of college towns across the United States. Town and gown together
create a better quality of life.
CollegeTownLife
P. O. Box 223
Oxford, OH 45056
Robert Karrow, editor
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