One of the points he makes is that while New Urbanism is "market-focused and private sector focused", and Smart Growth is more of a government & policy focus, they are surpringly similiar.
I especially liked the question on zoning and smart growth issues. I don't think most people realize that in many communities, much of their current buildings and neighborhoods would be illegal under current local zoning standards.
BUILDER: In that case, how do you level the playing field, considering the zoning necessary for smart growth is illegal in some places?
DUANY: This is so important. Most places have smart growth guidelines in place, but they don’t have specific codes and standards in place. The comprehensive plan may call for smart growth, but when it comes down to it, the schools are still huge (which presumes that a bunch of parents will be driving their kids to get there), and the neighborhoods are still mapped out according to a system of privileges where all of the houses in a given area are similar in size and price. There is a lack of mixed use, and everything has parking lots out front. You can say what you want in a comprehensive plan and a statement of intent, but if the technical documents are not there for implementing smart growth, the ball is dropped.
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