Smart Growth, New Urbanism and Diversity: Progressive Planning Movements in America and Their Impact on Poor and Minority Ethnic Populations

Abstract

Smart Growth envisions a reduction in the extension of low- density suburban subdivisions as the predominant pattern of de- velopment. New Urbanism reflects a more pedestrian-oriented European style of urban life. Growth policies that target devel- opment toward urban infill and revitalization could result in the intensification of ethnic separation. The success of the strategies carries the alternative image of gentrification and displacement of the poor. Were New Urbanism to integrate economic classes through a mixture of housing types and costs (ranging from lofts and live/work units to higher density apartments, townhouses, and even single family detached homes) utilizing adequate subsi- dies, local governments could provide an optimally designed stock of housing. If designed around transit, it could dramati- cally improve access to jobs and other services while offering more diverse neighborhoods. America's major cities include slum housing and a stock of barely habitable shelters which have served as housing for those of very low income, particularly new immigrants. Were these slums and lower-cost shelters replaced by new and revitalized development, cities such as New York or Los Angeles might cease to serve their democratizing and incu- bation function and the quality of life and opportunity for new immigrants and the poor may diminish.