Encourage universities to develop Smart Growth Centers
Action
Many communities, local governments and state agencies are in need of support as they implement planning and zoning reforms. States can help provide that support by funding colleges and universities to conduct research, provide technical, and train citizens and officials.
Schools of agriculture, architecture, engineering, geography, historic preservation, planning and public policy can offer significant, relevant expertise in the areas of community development, environmental protection, land use, public policy and smart growth. States should take advantage of the expertise by providing seed money and continuing support to universities to create research and technical assistance centers that can be leverage for communities and government agencies.
Process
The Smart Growth Centers should concentrate on three main tasks: research, technical assistance and training. The research focus would be broad and includes analysis of statewide and national trends. Funding for this type of work would come mostly from grants.
Technical assistance would focus more narrowly on helping communities, local governments and state agencies solve land-use and development-related issues. After the initial seed money, much of the work could be done using a variety of grants and fees.
The training segment could include educational opportunities for elected officials, state employees, planners and professionals in land-use related fields. Funding for training would come from enrollment fees.
Examples
- University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education
The National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education was founded in 2000 and given the mission to bring the resources of the University of Maryland at College Park and national experts to bear on issues of land development, resource preservation and urban growth.
The Center, which is affiliated with the schools of agriculture; architecture, planning and preservation; engineering; and public policy, received initial funding from both the university and the state. About 90 percent of its work is research, with the balance in the education category.
— National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education
