Analysis of incremental tax revenues and public service costs of various development patterns in Madison, Wisconsin indicates significant economic savings from more compact land use. Modest increases in density can provide large fiscal benefits.
The city of Madison hired Smart Growth America to analyze potential development options in the city’s Pioneer District, a 1,400-acre, undeveloped area in the city. Their study evaluated five different scenarios for development: a "base" scenario that reflects the city’s current plan; a "Plus 50" scenario that assumes 50 percent higher density on certain parcels within the district; a "Compact" scenario that assumes the same development program as the base but on 500 fewer acres; a "Compact Plus 50" scenario that assumes the Plus 50 scenario on 500 fewer acres; and a "Low Density" scenario that assumes the same development as the base but on 1,000 more acres.
This study uses real world data to provide detailed information on how sprawl increases various government costs, including expenditures for the construction and maintenance of roadways as well as transportation to and from schools. The figure below shows that increasing density from under 5 to over 15 residents and employees per acre typically reduces road length (feet of road per resident and employee) by 50-80 percent.
Similarly, increasing density from under 50 to over 400 pupils per square mile typically reduces school transportation costs per student by 30-80 percent.
This research provides more evidence that smart growth is literally conservative: it conserves land and municipal costs.
FULL STORY: The Fiscal Implications: Madison, WI
A Better Understanding of Smart Growth Benefits
Smart Growth creates compact, multimodal communities where residents consume less land, drive less, and rely more on non-auto modes. Planners have important stories to tell about the benefits of Smart Growth.
Shining a Light on Smarter Development Policies in India
A new study uses night sky satellite images to measure urban development patterns in India. The results can help guide smarter growth.
Study: Sprawl Costs the U.S. Economy $1 Trillion Annually
A major new study estimates that sprawl costs the U.S. economy more than a trillion dollars annually, and results, in part, from planning and market distortions. Smart policy reforms can result in more efficient and equitable development.
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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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service