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Instructor Information: Sarah Lynn Cunningham

Course Length: 1 Hour

Purpose and Background

The challenging economic conditions of late are forcing more public officials and developers—and their engineers—to question the economics of poorly planned growth (also known as suburban and exurban sprawl) like never before. Perhaps first were concerns about impacts on open space and waterways and then the exponential growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). But, over time, utility officials began to notice that the added revenues from new customers failed to offset the added burdens to their capital, operating and maintenance budgets. More recently, health experts bemoan the uphill battle facing a population living too far from their daily destinations to walk—even if sidewalks existed along their routes.

Fluctuating motor-fuel prices are prompting more business people and homeowners to reevaluate their vehicle choices and far-flung locations. Most experts believe that the U.S. will eventually enter into an international treaty to address global climate change, and that emitting global-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere will further add to the costs of fossil fuels.

Anyone involved in planning, designing, constructing, operating or maintaining utilities or public services to new or older existing development would be wise to begin planning to adapt to these game-changing conditions.

This webinar will offer an overview of a) the fiscal, environmental and social costs of poorly planned growth, b) more sustainable, alternate development patterns and c) some strategies for evolving toward better growth management, plus guidance for further learning. The material presented will apply to any linear utility (e.g., electricity, natural gas, telephone, cable and drainage), but will focus on water and sewer service because they are so often the linchpin to project approval.

Learning Outcomes

- What constitutes “poorly planned growth?”
- Principle arguments for rethinking growth models
- Other ways of growing
- Processes for implementing change

Seminar Benefits

- Gain an updated perspective on the standard suburban development model of detached single-family homes completely separated from other land uses
- Improve your ability to engage with clients, customers and constituents in preliminary discussions about their interests in alternate, more sustainable models for growth
- Obtain insight on where you might best begin developing your competency in offering your clients, customers or constituents more sustainable growth, O&M, etc. 

Intended Audience

This webinar is targeted to engineers and others interested in providing more economical and environmentally sustainable alternatives to poorly planned growth, whether in the planning, design, construction or servicing of green, grey or brown-field development. Civil, mechanical, environmental and architectural engineers; professional engineers in other building design disciplines; architects; planners working for municipalities, regional or state authorities; utility managers and officials; elected and public works officials; building-owners and facility managers; and engineering firm managers will benefit from this webinar.

Seminar Outline

-What constitutes “poorly planned growth?” Why are we hearing so many calls for alternative models of growth?
-Economics that everyone involved in growth management must understand:
 – Cost comparisons for providing linear utilities in more and less compact developments
 – Cost recovery models 
 – and potential socioeconomic inequities
-Mitigation Strategies
 – Infill development
 – Reuse of “grey-field” and “brown-field” sites
 – Adequate Public Facility Ordinances (APFO)
 – Regulations requiring developers to pay all costs related to installation of utilities within their developments
 – Variable impact fees
 – Urban growth and urban services boundaries
 – Regional cooperation
 – State revolving loan programs with Smart Growth requirements
-Starting Your Community’s Evolution
 – The politics are not always what meets the eye
 – Change requires one or more community leaders to spend the political capital
 – “Process counts”
 – Tapping readily available resources