EPA presents smart-growth ideas to big builders

Studies suggest that production builders could capture a growing market and avoid the coming glut of large-lot houses.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is carrying out an educational and research effort that could spur more of the nation’s large homebuilders to develop smart-growth projects.
Over the past several months, Lee Sobel in EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation has met with executives of “high-production” builders and supervised the preparation of reports that tell how and why large-volume construction companies might get involved in smart growth.
EPA is writing white papers for developers that interpret demographic trends, examine the potential demand for compact development, and explain the financial implications of smart growth as compared to conventional development. The white papers set forth planning principles drawn from New Urbanism, such as having a well-defined center, a clear edge, small blocks, and an interconnected street network, along with using open space to create a public realm and paying special attention to civic spaces. EPA expects to publish the papers in September in a report tentatively titled “Making the Case: Smart Growth for Production Builders and Developers.”
Because of their economies of scale, big builders are key players

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