ENDING GLOBAL SPRAWL URBAN STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT The health and wellbeing of humankind will Overshadowing these profound challenges are depend on the kind of cities we build in the the accelerating effects of climate change. So Principle 1: Plan for Growth, Resilience, next two generations. They will provide the urban forms must not only reduce per capita and Preservation scaffolding for our social, economic, and greenhouse gas emissions, they must grow Principle 2: Reserve Open Lands and environmental future. The way we shape in ways that are resilient and adaptable in the Public Space cities will impact humanity’s most pressing face of new climate-related challenges. They challenges: climate change and habitat must enhance the lifestyles and technologies Principle 3: Enhance Shared Mobility stability; social opportunity and community of mitigation at the same time they shape and Transit strength; economic growth and poverty. communities that can withstand the onslaught Principle 4: Build Transit-Oriented of extreme weather events. Whether We now have 4.2 billion people living in cities Developments (TODs) threatened by expanding fire zones, peak heat and that number will increase to 6.7 billion events, extreme storm deluge, or sea level rise, Principle 5: Mix Uses and Users by 2050. Based on our current pattern of appropriate urban form, open space systems, global sprawl, this will translate into an 80 and development location can make cities Principle 6: Create Human-Scale Streets percent expansion of city footprints from 2018 more resilient and sustainable. and Small Blocks to 2030. The current form of global sprawl Principle 7: Design for Walking deepens spatial inequalities and isolates the A comprehensive approach to these and Biking poor from the opportunities of urban life; it challenges involves the seven fundamental heightens the costs of infrastructure and social urban design principles presented in this services and it intensifies the environmental book. To thrive, cities need to plan for resilient All cities can share the co-benefits that result burdens of poor air quality, carbon emissions, new growth while they conserve natural from these principles. As urban form and and deteriorating ecosystems. and agrarian resources, preserve history, regional structure improves, all the metrics and nurture complete communities. They Urban planning and the future of the city is a studied improve—air quality, miles driven, need to create walkable and transit-oriented whole systems design challenge that can only fiscal impacts, household cost, infrastructure districts that offer alternates to the car. They be addressed with comprehensive, long-term costs, land consumption, carbon emissions, need mixed-use neighborhoods that create thinking. This book rests on the thesis that water consumption, and health costs. It is the places for a broad range of incomes, ages, while each city is unique, the global challenges convergence of positive outcomes that increase and household types. They need to create resulting from urban sprawl in all its varied the political and economic basis for significant compact communities that balance jobs and forms are universal. Three types of sprawl change. The strategies presented here reduce housing, opportunity and access, services, afflict growth throughout the planet: the low- per capita environmental demands while and public space. These principles are distilled density sprawl of higher income regions that making services, infrastructure, and economic from successful strategies for healthy urban have become auto dominated; the low-income development more efficient, more cost-effective, forms around the world and positive outcomes sprawl of the Global South that isolates the more accessible, and more interconnected. In have been documented for each principle in poor from economic, social, and cultural the end these seven principles seek to connect widely differing conditions. But more than opportunities; and the high-density sprawl of people, place, history, and ecology in ways just describing better urban form, these seven superblocks, towers, and isolated uses that has that are derived from humankind’s greatest principles set measurable standards, illustrate emerged in China and other Asian countries. urban traditions and set direction for a more best practices, and report on analytically While each is very different, they share sustainable and resilient future. validated outcomes. common urban pathologies: isolated poverty; water, air, and land pollution; congestion; loss of community; degraded health; and economic headwinds to name a few. Two forms of contemporary sprawl side by side: a low-income favela and wealthy high-rise condo in Sao Paulo Brazil. (Photo: Luiz Arthur Leirão Vieira). Ending Global Sprawl: Urban Standards for Sustainable and Resilient Development PRINCIPLE G OA L S + A C T I O N S Principle 1 1A: Create a compact metropolitan form that facilitates preservation of ecologies, agrarian landscapes, heritage sites, and avoids climate hazard zones Plan for Growth, Resilience, • ACTION 1: Establish a rational growth target and economic development strategy and Preservation • ACTION 2: Establish an urban growth boundary enforcement mechanism and periodically update the urban growth boundary based on economic growth projections Plan for compact growth and resilience while preserving natural 1B: Prioritize redevelopment and infill development in areas safe from climate change hazards ecologies, agrarian landscapes, and • ACTION 3: Assess and designate redevelopment sites based on minimum density, decay, hazard designations, and economic development needs cultural heritage sites • ACTION 4: Create incentives to prioritize infill and redevelopment in climate hazard free zones 1C: Preserve ecological, agricultural, historical, and cultural resources • ACTION 5: Map historic, cultural, and ecological resources • ACTION 6: Map productive agricultural lands and assess rural villages Principle 2 2A: Provide a variety of public open spaces and parks within an easy walking distance Reserve Open Lands and • ACTION 1: Reserve adequate space for local, district, and regional parks in new development areas Public Space • ACTION 2: Develop parks with a range of uses, from active recreation to passive leisure for a full range of ages • ACTION 3: Preserve major natural features within the UGB connected with trails and bikeways Preserve and create parks and open • ACTION 4: Integrate natural and cultural attractions space for community use, green connections, ecological systems, and 2B: Provide human-scaled plazas, civic centers, and community services adequate storm mitigation areas • ACTION 5: Make accessible to people with disabilities and the elderly • ACTION 6: Size hardscape sections of parks and plazas to the level of reasonable use 2C: Preserve and enhance climate resilience with adequate storm management areas and fire zone buffers. • ACTION 7: Map growth and infill areas safe from sea level rise, storm surge, and fire hazards • ACTION 8: Enhance natural mitigation systems such as drainage ways, wetlands, and forestlands • ACTION 9: In urban areas, increase detention and infiltration at the building, street, and district level • ACTION 10: Mitigate urban heat island effects with green canopies and reflective surfaces Principle 3 3A: Ensure frequent and direct transit service with an interconnected hierarchy of transit technologies Enhance Shared Mobility • ACTION 1: Integrate Metro, bus rapid transit, light rail, streetcar, and bus service with micro mobility options and Transit • ACTION 2: Build a cross-service, smart transit access system • ACTION 3: Coordinate transit so it is easy to switch modes or lines; limit transfer distance to 100 meters Make networks of transit, new forms of shared mobility, and active 3B: Locate transit stations within a walking distance of homes, jobs, and services transport more desirable, affordable, • ACTION 4: Locate transit lines and expansions to service all new and redevelopment areas and ubiquitous • ACTION 5: Plan a grid of dedicated transit lanes that can be used for BRT, light rail, streetcar, or autonomous shared vehicles • ACTION 6: Emphasize the bike connection to major transit stations Principle 4 4A: Create higher density mixed-use nodes around transit Build Transit-Oriented • ACTION 1: Increase walkability, mix, and a sense of place with civic uses, parks, and plazas at stations and along transit corridors Developments (TODs) • ACTION 2: Match density to transit capacity using a hierarchy of TOD types through both redevelopment and new construction • ACTION 3: Concentrate major commercial and retail development in high-capacity TOD areas Match land-use density and mix to transit capacity in a walkable 4B: Design transit stations with convenient walking and bike routes to homes, jobs, and services environment • ACTION 4: Ensure convenient and safe entrances to transit stations free of major auto traffic • ACTION 5: Emphasize bike and pedestrian access to stations by integrating bike parking and shops Principle 5 5A: Encourage an optimal balance of housing, shops, and services Mix Uses and Users • ACTION 1: Create a great walking experience with ground floor shops and services • ACTION 2: Provide opportunities for residential development in commercial blocks Create diverse, mixed-use • ACTION 3: Within each residential neighborhood, cluster schools, social services, and civic uses neighborhoods and districts that integrate affordable housing 5B: Create a jobs/housing balance within a short transit commute distance • ACTION 4: Develop a citywide pattern of mixed-use districts that balance jobs and housing 5C: Integrate affordable and senior housing in each neighborhood • ACTION 5: Establish districtwide affordable housing strategies and financing mechanisms Principle 6 6A: Create human-scale blocks and streets Create Human-Scale Streets and • ACTION 1: Develop blocks with perimeter buildings to provide shared interior courtyards and active sidewalks Small Blocks • ACTION 2: Reshape existing superblocks and cul-de-sac subdivisions with pedestrian passages Increase density of road networks 6B: Disperse traffic over narrow, parallel routes with a grid of varied street types with small blocks and human-scaled • ACTION 3: Locate larger expressways and highways at the district edge streets • ACTION 4: Limit major through street widths by substituting with one-way street couplets 6C: Establish car-free corridors that accommodate dedicated and connected biking and walking paths, which may include transit lanes • ACTION 5: Auto-free streets should provide shopping and services at the building ground level • ACTION 6: Connect auto-free streets to trails and paths within major open spaces Principle 7 7A: Emphasize pedestrian safety, comfort, and convenience Design for Walking • ACTION 1: Plan sidewalk dimensions in proportion to surrounding density and uses and Biking • ACTION 2: Plan for consistent street trees and pedestrian amenities • ACTION 3: Create ‘bulb outs’ at street corners, replacing parking lanes to reduce crossing distance Prioritize walking and biking with ubiquitous safe, direct, and 7B: Encourage ground-level activity and create places to relax comfortable routes • ACTION 4: Line streets with visually active frontage and eliminate parking in front setbacks • ACTION 5: When block security is required, provide semi-transparent fencing design with setbacks for landscaping 7C: Design streets that emphasize bike safety and convenience • ACTION 6: Protect bike lanes with physical barriers from cars and clear pedestrian separation • ACTION 7: Consider the use of auto-free streets Ending Global Sprawl: Urban Standards for Sustainable and Resilient Development PRINCIPLE G OA L S + A C T I O N S PRINCIPLE G OA L S + A C T I O N S Principle 1 1A: Create a compact metropolitan form that facilitates Principle 4 4A: Create higher density mixed-use nodes around transit Plan for Growth, preservation of ecologies, agrarian landscapes, heritage sites, Build Transit-Oriented • ACTION 1: Increase walkability, mix, and a sense of place with Resilience, and avoids climate hazard zones Developments (TODs) civic uses, parks, and plazas at stations and along transit corridors and Preservation • ACTION 1: Establish a rational growth target and economic • ACTION 2: Match density to transit capacity using a hierarchy of Match land-use density development strategy TOD types through both redevelopment and new construction Plan for compact growth and mix to transit • ACTION 2: Establish an urban growth boundary enforcement • ACTION 3: Concentrate major commercial and retail development and resilience while capacity in a walkable mechanism and periodically update the urban growth boundary in high-capacity TOD areas preserving natural environment based on economic growth projections 4B: Design transit stations with convenient walking and bike ecologies, agrarian landscapes, and cultural 1B: Prioritize redevelopment and infill development in areas routes to homes, jobs, and services heritage sites safe from climate change hazards • ACTION 4: Ensure convenient and safe entrances to transit • ACTION 3: Assess and designate redevelopment sites based stations free of major auto traffic on minimum density, decay, hazard designations, and economic • ACTION 5: Emphasize bike and pedestrian access to stations by development needs integrating bike parking and shops • ACTION 4: Create incentives to prioritize infill and redevelopment in climate hazard free zones Principle 5 5A: Encourage an optimal balance of housing, shops, and services Mix Uses and Users • ACTION 1: Create a great walking experience with ground floor 1C: Preserve ecological, agricultural, historical, and cultural shops and services resources Create diverse, mixed- • ACTION 2: Provide opportunities for residential development in • ACTION 5: Map historic, cultural, and ecological resources use neighborhoods and commercial blocks • ACTION 6: Map productive agricultural lands and assess rural districts that integrate • ACTION 3: Within each residential neighborhood, cluster schools, villages affordable housing social services, and civic uses Principle 2 2A: Provide a variety of public open spaces and parks within 5B: Create a jobs/housing balance within a short transit Reserve Open Lands an easy walking distance commute distance and Public Space • ACTION 1: Reserve adequate space for local, district, and regional • ACTION 4: Develop a citywide pattern of mixed-use districts that parks in new development areas balance jobs and housing Preserve and create • ACTION 2: Develop parks with a range of uses, from active 5C: Integrate affordable and senior housing in each neighborhood parks and open space for recreation to passive leisure for a full range of ages • ACTION 5: Establish districtwide affordable housing strategies community use, green • ACTION 3: Preserve major natural features within the UGB and financing mechanisms connections, ecological connected with trails and bikeways systems, and adequate Principle 6 6A: Create human-scale blocks and streets • ACTION 4: Integrate natural and cultural attractions storm mitigation areas • ACTION 1: Develop blocks with perimeter buildings to provide 2B: Provide human-scaled plazas, civic centers, and Create Human-Scale Streets and Small shared interior courtyards and active sidewalks community services Blocks • ACTION 2: Reshape existing superblocks and cul-de-sac • ACTION 5: Make accessible to people with disabilities and the subdivisions with pedestrian passages elderly Increase density of road • ACTION 6: Size hardscape sections of parks and plazas to the networks with small 6B: Disperse traffic over narrow, parallel routes with a grid of level of reasonable use blocks and human- varied street types scaled streets • ACTION 3: Locate larger expressways and highways at the 2C: Preserve and enhance climate resilience with adequate district  edge storm management areas and fire zone buffers. • ACTION 4: Limit major through street widths by substituting with • ACTION 7: Map growth and infill areas safe from sea level rise, one-way street couplets storm surge, and fire hazards • ACTION 8: Enhance natural mitigation systems such as drainage 6C: Establish car-free corridors that accommodate dedicated ways, wetlands, and forestlands and connected biking and walking paths, which may include • ACTION 9: In urban areas, increase detention and infiltration at transit lanes the building, street, and district level • ACTION 5: Auto-free streets should provide shopping and • ACTION 10: Mitigate urban heat island effects with green services at the building ground level canopies and reflective surfaces • ACTION 6: Connect auto-free streets to trails and paths within major open spaces Principle 3 3A: Ensure frequent and direct transit service with an Enhance Shared interconnected hierarchy of transit technologies Principle 7 7A: Emphasize pedestrian safety, comfort, and convenience • ACTION 1: Integrate Metro, bus rapid transit, light rail, streetcar, Design for Walking • ACTION 1: Plan sidewalk dimensions in proportion to surrounding Mobility and Transit and bus service with micro mobility options and Biking density and uses Make networks of • ACTION 2: Plan for consistent street trees and pedestrian • ACTION 2: Build a cross-service, smart transit access system Prioritize walking and transit, new forms of amenities • ACTION 3: Coordinate transit so it is easy to switch modes or biking with ubiquitous shared mobility, and • ACTION 3: Create ‘bulb outs’ at street corners, replacing parking lines; limit transfer distance to 100 meters safe, direct, and active transport more lanes to reduce crossing distance desirable, affordable, 3B: Locate transit stations within a walking distance of homes, comfortable routes and ubiquitous jobs, and services 7B: Encourage ground-level activity and create places to relax • ACTION 4: Locate transit lines and expansions to service all new • ACTION 4: Line streets with visually active frontage and eliminate and redevelopment areas parking in front setbacks • ACTION 5: Plan a grid of dedicated transit lanes that can be used • ACTION 5: When block security is required, provide semi- for BRT, light rail, streetcar, or autonomous shared vehicles transparent fencing design with setbacks for landscaping • ACTION 6: Emphasize the bike connection to major transit 7C: Design streets that emphasize bike safety and convenience stations • ACTION 6: Protect bike lanes with physical barriers from cars and clear pedestrian separation • ACTION 7: Consider the use of auto-free streets