SmartCode wiki

If you're familiar with Wikipedia.org--the online encyclopedia--then you'll probably recognize this SmartCode wiki.

It's pretty sparse and I'm not sure who is organizing it, but it could end up being a good resource over time as the Alabama River Region has three communities that have adopted the SmartCode.

Attractive and Convenient Sprawl...

Well, looks like EastChase is growing again.

Unfortunately, the new EastChase "market"--while it will certainly be attractive and convenient (as well as adding several retailers new to Montgomery)--the harsh reality is that there will only be one legal and safe way to get to this new development:

Via Automobile.

And, that's a shame because as gas prices rise, getting places by automobile will just become less and less affordable. Indeed, these type developments are really hedging their bets that people will always be able to continue to drive.

Sadly, one thing we're told that this "market" won't have is a single sidewalk leading to an external destination (like the two large subdivisions nearby). Meaning that not a single person from those neighborhoods (or people staying at the nearby hotels) will be able to walk or bike to this "market".

How sustainable is this?

And, an even more important question is: How has EastChase been able to get regulatory approval for this massive development without providing a single external sidewalk?

(note: want to see something really anti-sustainable...just trying an walking from Halcyon to the Shoppes at EastChase--a potentially pleasant 1/4 mile walk where--from some reason the sidewalk was never extended out of the neighborhood and into the shoppes--bizarrely unsustainable)

Urban Parking Solutions...

There's been alot of discussion about the sometimes-difficult chore of finding street parking in urban places like downtown Montgomery. One solution has been the new lunch trolley.

Here's another one that addresses the core of the issue: market-priced street parking.

"Green Building"

Interested in learning more about how environmentally sustainable building practices (aka "green building") can be used in development projects?

After all, this type of development is garnering more and more positive press coverage.

Well, if you are interested, then check out this community where they have already started doing so...

SmartCode Solution to Sprawl book

Well, it's finally here. After about 9 months of work, my first published book has arrived.

Entitled "The SmartCode Solution to Sprawl", this 90 page book is intended as a practical resource on how the SmartCode came to be--and what it can do for your community.

The good news is that River Region Smart Growth readers can buy the book for only $19.95 (the cover price is $24.95).

To take advantage of this special discount, just email me at cemerson@faulkner.edu or call me at 334.386.7536.

Looking for a TND?

Try this resource from the TND Town Paper...

Montgomery's Court Square Plaza...

A key piece of the recent Dover Kohl Downtown Montgomery charrette process was the creation of one of the country's first (if not, the first) pedestrian plazas at the current Court Square where Commerce Street, Court Street, Montgomery Street, and Dexter Avenue all come together.

Well, the plaza is just about complete and it looks fantastic. Above is a pictorial history beginning with the "before" image, followed by the conceptual drawing, and then concluding with several "after" images of the plaza.

Enjoy...

Haile Plantation in Gainesville...

Alot of readers often ask me about smart growth projects in other cities. Well, if you're ever in Gainesville, check out Haile Plantation's Village Center. The Plantation itself is typical single use suburbia, but right in the middle of it all is a great TND town center. Definitely worth a quick visit if you're ever heading down I-75 toward Orlando and other points south...

Our new home...

If you've found us here, then you've discovered the new home for River Region Smart Growth.com. Unfortunately, the university's currently available server space is not sufficient to host blogs internally so we've had to make the move to blogspot.

So, please re-bookmark us for http://riverregionsmartgrowth.blogspot.com

We'll start with the new updates soon...