Segregation and Concentration of Poverty: The Role of Suburban Sprawl
THE COSTS OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL AND URBAN DECAY
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Transcript of THE COSTS OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL AND URBAN DECAY
THE COSTS OF THE COSTS OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL SUBURBAN SPRAWL AND URBAN DECAYAND URBAN DECAY
What is Suburban Sprawl?What is Suburban Sprawl?
Sprawl is unsustainable development that wastes tax dollars, destroys farmland and open space, and neglects existing infrastructure and
community resources.
Schools
Workplace
Shops
Recreation
Home
Everything is a Drive Away
Suburban parents spend17 full days a year
behind the wheel, more than the average parent spends dressing,
bathing and feeding a child.
Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project
Suburban parents spend17 full days a year
behind the wheel, more than the average parent spends dressing,
bathing and feeding a child.
Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project
About Grow Smart RIAbout Grow Smart RI
Statewide non-profit organizationStatewide non-profit organization Diverse coalition of interestsDiverse coalition of interests
MissionMission
Promote patterns of development that……Promote patterns of development that……
- Revitalize city & town centers- Revitalize city & town centers
- Preserve historic, cultural and natural resources- Preserve historic, cultural and natural resources
- Expand economic opportunity for all Rhode Islanders- Expand economic opportunity for all Rhode Islanders
How We Get it DoneHow We Get it Done
Research / EducationResearch / Education Policy Reform / AdvocacyPolicy Reform / Advocacy Building municipal capacityBuilding municipal capacity
The Costs of Sprawl The Costs of Sprawl and Urban Decay and Urban Decay in Rhode Island in Rhode Island
Published December, 1999
Rhode Island Growth TrendsRhode Island Growth Trends1980-20001980-2000
Population growth = 6.9%
Housing growth = 17.2%
Motor vehicle growth = 16.4%
Increase in developed landIncrease in developed land1961-19951961-1995
Core: 54% increaseRing: 122% increaseSuburb 169% increaseRural 205% increase
Costs of SprawlCosts of Sprawl Loss of farms and forestland
– 1964-1997: farmland reduced by half– Potential additional loss by 2020:
3,100 acres farmland 24,000 acres forestland
Infrastructure Costs– Roads– School facilities– Utility lines
•Social Costs
Poverty in Core CitiesPoverty in Core Cities
Loss of jobs from core citiesLoss of jobs from core cities
COVERED PRIVATE JOB GROWTH IN URBAN CORE AND NON-CORE AREAS, RHODE ISLAND, 1980-1997
158,035162,667
165,018
212,684
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
1980 1997
Urban Core
Non Core Area
FIG. 10.2
URBAN CORE
NON-CORE*
*Including urban ring, suburban and rural areas.
Fiscal Impacts on Fiscal Impacts on Urban CentersUrban Centers
Lost Tax Revenue– Estimated loss in assessed valuations:
$1.3 billion– 1998: 934 acres of vacant lots in
Providence
8% of citywide acreage– 1999: 560 vacant buildings in Providence
Urban Fiscal ImpactsUrban Fiscal Impacts
Reduced property values
Increasing tax rates
Fiscal Impact on suburban Fiscal Impact on suburban and rural townsand rural towns
Increased taxes due to:– Increased cost of community services due to
amount of growth– Increased cost of community services due to
pattern of growth
Other ImpactsOther Impacts
Increased motor vehicle usage = negative environmental impacts
Increased storm water runoff from roads and parking lots
Increased auto emissions
Calculating the CostsCalculating the Costs Current pattern = net gain of 25,000 new
housing units from 2000-2020
34,000 units -- ring/suburban/rural - 9,000 units – urban
25,000
(RI Statewide Planning Projections)
Alternative Core Development pattern
8,750 new units in Urban Core and Ring
6,250 new units in Suburban
10,000 new units in Rural
25,000 new units
Figure 8 Projected Cost of Sprawl, Rhode Island, 2000-2020In Millions of Dollars
Tax revenue loss due to depreciation of remaining properties in core cities
34%
Tax revenue loss due to excessive residential
development in non-urban areas15%
Captial costs of redundant infrastructure
17%
Operating costs of redundant infrastructure
13%
Tax revenue loss due to vacant land in Core Cities
27%
Loss of agricultural products sale
1%
Loss of agr icul tur al
pr oducts sale
Captial costs of
r edundant
inf r astr uctur e
Oper ating costs of
r edundant
inf r astr uctur e
T ax r evenue loss due to
vacant land in Cor e
Cities
T ax r evenue loss due to
depr eciation of
r emaining pr oper ties
in cor e ci ties
T ax r evenue loss due to
excessive r esidential
development in non-
ur ban ar eas
212 243
382 181
400
14
TOTAL COSTS OF SPRAWL --- $1.432 BILLION
How can communities “grow How can communities “grow smart”?smart”?
• Encourage growth & development in existing city and town centers
• Mix land uses• Create a range of housing opportunities and choices• Foster “walkable” close-knit neighborhoods• Preserve & protect open space, farmland, & critical
environmental areas• Provide a variety of transportation choices
• Promote a “distinctive sense of place” through preservation
• Take advantage of existing community assets
• Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost-effective
• Encourage citizen participation in development decisions
What Smart Growth “Is” And “Is Not”What Smart Growth “Is” And “Is Not”
Vibrant cities, suburbs and towns
Not anti-suburban
Wider variety of housing choices
Not about telling people where or how to live
More transportation choices and less traffic
Not against cars and roads
Well-planned growth that improves quality of life
Not against growth
www.growsmartri.comwww.growsmartri.com
345 South Main StreetProvidence, RI 02903
273-5711