Proposal for 2007 Urban Extension Conference Presentation

							                            Workshop Abstract
                        Urban Extension Conference
  “The Future Urban Extension Agenda: Reaching New and Diverse Audiences”
                   May 7-10, 2007, Kansas City, Missouri

Title: Land Use Education for an Urban Audience: The Des Moines Metropolitan Area
Smart Growth Project

Presenter: Gary D. Taylor, JD, AICP, Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist
             Department of Community & Regional Planning
             Iowa State University

Summary: Community leaders are in need of meaningful information on how to
implement alternatives to low-density, sprawling development. Through the use of a
“Smart Growth Audit” of local development codes, the Des Moines Metropolitan Area
Smart Growth Project educated local decision-makers on the relationship of land use
regulations to development patterns.

Abstract: Across the nation, growing numbers of communities are discovering links
between urban sprawl and a wide range of problems. For example, recent studies have
identified the following consequences of sprawling development patterns:

       Higher rates of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per person, leading to increased
        levels of ozone pollution.
       Greater risk of fatal automobile accidents.
       Greater rates of storm water runoff per household;
       Greater impacts on the watershed;
       Depressed rates of walking, and alternative transportation use.

As more civic leaders become aware of these consequences, they are in increasing need
of meaningful information about the alternatives to low-density, sprawling development
and how to implement these alternatives.

Funded by EPA Region 7 and 1,000 Friends of Iowa, Iowa State University Extension
developed an audit instrument and conducted a “Smart Growth Audit” of the zoning
codes and subdivision ordinances from 15 communities in and around Des Moines to
assess whether existing regulations incorporate Smart Growth principles. The
ISUE/1,000 Friends of Iowa project included pre- and post-audit workshops for local
elected and appointed officials, and involved planning professionals from the
communities in the audit process itself. The project was effective in educating local
decision-makers on the relationship of regulations to development patterns; providing
them a process for assessing how their codes and policies are shaping development; and
illustrating how those codes and policies could be amended to promote Smart Growth.

                 A copy of the research report may be downloaded at
       http://www.design.iastate.edu/extension/desmoinessmartgrowthcodeaudit.php