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-- A series of fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation
for use by local community leaders --
Michigan, like many states, continues to develop farmland, forests and open space at a rapid rate. In fact, despite a lagging economy and unsettling population trends, Michigan is developing land eight times faster than its population is growing (compared to the national average of 2.5 times faster). Around the Bay City area, that ratio of land development to population growth is even higher, at 27:1.
This rapid development can pay high short-term dividends to local tax bases; but it also comes with a high cost. Infrastructure and maintenance costs expand, while free, natural services provided by Michigan's land resources (flood control, water filtration, habitat, recreation) are sacrificed.
Academic number crunchers are helping make the case that Smart Growth land use planning, which protects open space, is a good fiscal move for communities and state leaders. In a recent issue of American Public Health, researchers at Rutgers University estimate that compact development like targeting infill development and investing in our existing cities, small towns and villages could save the U.S. about $4 billion each year in public service funds. They estimate we will spend around $190 billion on extending sewer and water lines to single family homes between 2000 and 2025. Over the same period, they project the U.S. could save $110 billion in road building costs under a managed growth plan.
But numbers alone don't tell the story. In real communities across Michigan, land use decisions are making a permanent impact on rare ecosystems, fragile economies and struggling families. Century-old family farms are being paved over, even as others are saved through innovative new conservation programs.
Rare wetland habitats are zoned for destruction while new wetlands are being constructed to filter stormwater in urban parks. Such stories abound throughout the state.
This is a series exploring the real-world consequences--and the financial impacts behind them--of the commonplace land use decisions being made in communities across the state. Each issue will offer two contrasting case studies facing land use decision makers in Michigan today. Taken together, these two examples show the common sense, cost-saving measures communities are currently realizing through Smart Growth planning and infrastructure decisions and highlight patterns that may be wasteful and unwise.
Each installment will also include a short set of questions you can ask in your community, helping hold our local and state elected officials accountable to your land use future.
Smart Investments Series
Fact sheets:
Presentation:
Additional Resources
- Portland’s Green Dividend: Economic and other indicators from Portland, Oregon, demonstrate that Smart Growth really is a Smart Investment. A report from CEOs for Cities, by Joe Cortright (download report)
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