Abstracts and Titles of Papers
Panel 1
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Detlof von Winterfeldt, Associate Dean, USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development
Welcoming Remarks
Dowell Myers, Director, USC Master of Planning Program
Introduction to the Conference
Planning issues have reached a broader-based popularity than at any time in several decades. Concern over urban sprawl ranks near the top. Setting the stage for the conference, October 2001 poll data are summarized on the conflicted views of the California residents: Roughly half the residents favor growth controls and roughly half favor limitations on sprawl. The other half favor the opposite. Meanwhile California grows at 5 million per decade, adding the entire state of Florida—fourth largest in the nation—every 30 years. Old patterns of growth are no longer tenable. The experts assembled for the conference might have some of the required answers. The day’s program is then overviewed.
California in the National Context: the Latest Research
George Galster, Wayne State University
Multiple Dimensions of Sprawl: How Does LA Stand Up?
Sprawl has multiple dimensions necessary to describe its spatial pattern, and these can be measured objectively for cities. Differences are compared among major metropolitan regions. Despite its lack of predominant core, LA is found to be not very residentially sprawled on most dimensions. Although LA scores very low on compactness, it is also relatively high on average overall density.
Rolf Pendall, Cornell University
Who Sprawls Most? Density in US Metro Areas, 1982-97
Land development is a key component of sprawl. Extreme differences are found between regions, with higher densities in west (Los Angeles) and lower densities in the east (Atlanta). In fact, more than density is involved in describing sprawl. In terms of policy implications, the presentation distinguishes between structural factors (hard to change) and political factors that are accessible to change
Robert Yaro, Regional Plan Association of New York
Building Post-Sprawl Metropolitan Regions
Large US metropolitan regions can be redesigned for the post-sprawl world. Further development is necessary to accommodate population growth. Cities and suburbs can be redesigned around notions of propinquity. Small cities and suburbs can and do provide alternatives to sprawl in polynucleated metropolitan areas.
Panel 3
Rethinking Issues of Sprawl and Density
Jennifer Wolch, USC Sustainable Cities Program and Geography Department
Post-Sprawl Metropolis: Planning for the Transition to Sustainability
Sprawl is not sustainable for a variety of reasons: resource consumption, fiscal inequities and social polarization, limits to regional development, etc. A new path is being found based on collaborations across social divisions and between interest groups. Lessons are drawn from the experience of a community named Harmony.
Peter Gordon, USC Master of Real Estate Development Program
Really Smart Growth
A new position on smart growth is presented that emphasizes consumer soverignty in place of government regulation, States the case in favor of bottom-up decision making instead of top-down controls. Auto-oriented development is no mystery: people prefer it, and they adjust their commuting behavior in ways that determine land development patterns. Recommends that top-down planners do only a few things but do them well: focus on infrastructure plans, enhance property rights, and trust landowners to discover and plan for highest and best use.
John Landis, UC-Berkeley Department of City and Regional Planning
Sprawl In California: Its Extent, Causes, Effects, & Future
Is California Sprawling? That depends on how you define sprawl. In terms of density and compactness, the answer is mostly no. But in terms of inter-regional housing, jobs and commuting spillovers or in terms of urban fabric homogeneity, the answer is largely yes. These factors are copiously illustrated with GIS and other displays. Policy directions are outlined that emphasize improved regional/county land use planning cooperation, better match of job and housing locations, and greater efforts on "place making" in suburban, infill, and new town planing.
Panel 4
Growing Consumer Preferences for Density
Dowell Myers, USC Master of Planning Program
Growing Preferences for Higher Density Residential Environments: The Boom Ahead
Conventional beliefs about the prevalence of low-density housing preferences are summarized and then questioned in light of recent survey evidence. Three major factors drive an expectation of rising density preferences in the decade ahead. Adults over age 40 have much greater preference for compact city living than the young. The baby boomers are now crossing that age line, swinging the bulk of growth in housing demand toward a new set of preferences. A number of general background trends also support even greater residential preferences for living in denser, more central locations. Little recognized is that American cities are built on the preferences of a tiny minority (1-2%) each year. Now that the complexion of that demand for new construction is shifting so dramatically, the potential for major changes in development patterns is greatly enhanced. (The recorded presentation has a technical disruption near the beginning that is very brief.)
Julie Campoli, Terra Firma Urban Design and
Alex MacLean, Landslides Aerial Photography
Visualizing Density
In the debate over the density of future development, visual tools are needed to bridge the gap between measured density and perceived density. Low-level aerial photography is used to construct a visual catalogue illustrating various density levels. The many examples shown depict how site design affects the look and feel of density. Technical challenges are discussed with regard to how these aerial representations can be crafted in a manner that depicts a visual portrait of places in the fairest, most meaningful manner possible.
Panel 5
A Survey of Planning for Livable Places
Joe Carreras, Southern California Association of Governments
Growth Trends and Planning Solutions for Livable Places
A broad historical overview is offered of growth in Southern California. Another 6 million residents - two Chicagos - will be added in the next 25 years, but much less low density residential land is available. Solutions include more multifamily housing production, both to meet changing lifestyle needs of aging Baby Boomers and Young Hispanics. Development of urban villages is outlined for enhanced livability, providing an expanded set of living and shopping choices for an increasingly diverse population. Surveys a range of programs and research findings of the regional council of governments. In general, public support for a regional Growth Vision is critical if we are to change our urban form in the Post Sprawl Era.
Richard Ramella, The Planning Center
Reinventing Suburban Strip Malls
A case study of suburban sprawl is offered in the context of Orange County, California, the quintessential 1950s low-density higher income suburb bordering Los Angeles, now turning into a job-rich, higher-density multiethnic metropolis. Several opportunities are illustrated of how to successfully cope with rising density in order to achieve greater livability. Redeveloping suburban strip malls provides one common opportunity. Successful mixed use developments and the role of local governments are described. Several different design approaches are possible for each density level. Showing examples will help the public draw its own conclusions about how to achieve a desired density.
Panel 6
Building Better Places with Compact Design
Stefanos Polyzoides, Moule and Polyzoides, Architects and Urbanists
A Visual Survey of New Urbanist Principles
This presentation offers an overview of new urbanist design principles, illustrating these with a critique of the existing built environment and exploring a wide range of proposed and actual examples. The presenter is one of the founding members of the Congress for New Urbanism.
Rick Cole, City Manager, City of Azusa
The Political Process for Gaining Community Consensus
Complementing the design perspective, this presentation emphasizes the political process of gaining consensus and building a shared political will. Practical issues of NIMBYism and exclusion must be addressed, not by sermonizing, but by building shared understandings and viable political coalitions. The presenter is a former city council member and mayor in Pasadena who has now turned to the process of city building in a small suburban town flanking the San Gabriel mountains north of Los Angeles.
Panel 7
Closing Remarks
William Fulton. Solimar Research Group, Inc.
Principles for Planning the Post-Sprawl Era
Inspirational remarks are offered that derive from five general principles useful for all planning. Fulton’s delivery, both searching and probing, generates many keen insights.
Dowell Myers, USC Master of Planning Program
Thank You on Behalf of the Organizers
A rousing capstone to the conference is presented in the form of thank yous extended to all the contributors, the many helpers, and the heavy lifters. Grateful acknowledgement is given the conference sponsors, particularly the Fannie Mae Foundation and the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy.