An investigation of smart growth: Linking land use and transportation planning to build sustainable communities and control sprawl

In the 1990s and 2000s various studies emerged in the field of land use and transportation planning and their linkages to sprawl. These studies were conducted by authors such as Burchell (1998) who looked at the costs associated with sprawl, while the Brookings Institute (2003) looked at Pennsylvania and the reasons for its economic problems.;This thesis explores the relationship between land use and transportation planning and focuses on a planning method known as Smart Growth. This thesis uses a single case study of the City of Portland Oregon. Portland has been touted as an area that is the example for other areas to follow when they look to enact new land use planning laws.;The result of the study shows that Portland has some unique features that are not copied around much of the United States and may be the reason that it enjoys the growth patterns that it does. Cities in Oregon have a feature known as an urban growth boundary around them which prohibits building outside the boundary. Portland's land use is also governed by a regional body known as the Metro that controls everything from land use planning to the zoo.;Analysis of the data shows that Smart Growth is working in Portland. The building of homes is happening inside the urban growth boundary, and they are occurring at a higher density then the surrounding area. Portland commuters also have the option of riding the light rail system instead of driving to work.;The thesis concludes by exploring some of the controversies associated with the Smart Growth movement. These include higher housing costs and the weakening of private property rights. Portland once again is used as the subject of the study by looking at the increased housing costs in Portland and Measure 37 which is an attempt by homeowners in Portland to retain the value of their private land. These are two issues that will need to be studied in the future to see what their affects have been on the Smart Growth movement in Portland.;Overall Smart Growth is seen in a positive light and the changes enacted by its passing have seemed to have a positive effect on the Portland region. As with any other subject that is fluid in nature, Smart Growth should continue to be studied to ensure that it is providing the forecasted benefits.