A Berkeley, CA growth initiative revealed the stresses that smart growth play on grassroots environmental organizations like the Sierra Club where members determine positions.
Berkeley's downtown growth initiative, Measure R, "bankrolled by developers and backed by the Sierra Club" won big at the polls on Nov 2, receiving 64 per cent of the vote. It approved "a blueprint for reshaping downtown that includes five new high-rises."
"(Smart growth) is controversial in the club," said Kent Lewandowski, chairman of the organization's Northern Alameda County group. "We've got longtime club members who see efforts to promote density as colluding with developers. Others are against living in an urban environment."
"Mr. Lewandowski said that one member, who is upset about the organization's support of smart-growth development, threatened to remove the club from her will."
Thanks to David Tam
FULL STORY: Smart-Growth Policy Splits Environmentalists
Another Berkeley 'First': Banning Natural Gas Lines in New Buildings
On Tuesday night, the City Council of Berkeley, Calif., unanimously voted to ban natural gas infrastructure from new buildings starting next year, the first city in the U.S. to pass such an ordinance. Fifty cities in the state could be next.
Carrying Capacity, Population Growth, and Urban Planning
Breakthrough Institute co-founder, Ted Nordhaus, explores the etymology of "carrying capacity" from a shipping term to a biological term, but objects to its application to human population. Richard Heinberg of the Post Carbon Institute responds.
FL Growth Legislation Hinges on "What Is Urban?"
A controversial bill on the desk of FL Gov. Crist is touted by supporters as 'smart growth' because they feel it will direct growth to urban areas, which are defined as 1,000 people per sq. mile. At stake is transportation mitigation of new projects.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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