Many of the arguments for smarter and more sustainable growth emphasize cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. But what if reorienting where we live and how we travel also made us wealthier, more prosperous and better prepared for a 21st century economy? That’s the conclusion of a new report from the Center for Clean Air Policy, titled “Growing Wealthier: Smart Growth, Climate Change and Prosperity.”

The Diane Rehm show, which regularly receives more than 2.1 million listeners on its home of Washington-based NPR affiliate WAMU, tackled the topic of “Creating Livable Cities” during last Thursday’s broadcast. Rehm was also joined by, among others, Barbara McCann, the director of the National Complete Streets Coalition.

Photo courtesy of Compass Blueprint There are many reasons smarter growth makes sense. By building more sustainably and closer to where people work and shop and plan, we reduce hours stuck in traffic and make it easier to reach life’s necessities. But there is something even more important at stake: our health. According to new [...]

This collection of 12 case studies puts to rest the idea that livability is an exclusively “urban” idea — small cities, towns and rural regions across the country are transforming themselves into more livable communities. Davidson faced a surge in population head-on by revitalizing its town center and improving transportation options, earning the 2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement from the U.S. EPA.

Our transportation investments and the built environment — what we build and where — have an enormous impact on our health and the cost of our health care. With the debate over health care reform dominating the news daily, Transportation for America and coalition members from across the country took that powerful — yet often ignored or neglected — message to Capitol Hill leaders with a “health fly-in” last Friday.

An overwhelming majority of Americans believe restoring existing roads and bridges and expanding transportation options should take precedence over building new roads, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Transportation for America.

1000 Friends of Connecticut, a non-profit organization advocating for smart growth and livable communities, has been making waves in the state with a series of forums on development and growth issues. (Hartford Courant — Regine Labossiere)

With a new bill signed on Tuesday by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s planning agencies gain new ammo in the fight against sprawl, carbon emissions, and climate change. (Associated Press — Steve Lawrence)

The Baltimore Sun presses Maryland’s state government to use more carrots and sticks to encourage smart growth and help protect the Chesapeake Bay.

A commitment to clean transportation and smart growth puts Portland at the top of SustainLane’s sustainability rankings for the biggest 50 U.S cities. (Christian Science Monitor – Eoin O’Carroll)