Smart Growth In California Compare To Laredo,Texas

Smart Growth

Smart growth is the alterative planning principle to "Urban Sprawl,"

development that is economically viable and preserves the environment.

Planning that is comprehensive integrated and regional. Public, private, and non

profit sectors work together. Certainly and predictability in the development

process, Infrastructure is maintained and enhance to serve the community.

Redevelopment of housing, brownfield sites and obsolete building recognizes the

importance of urban centers. The main principles of Smart Growth; mix land

uses, compact building design, walk able neighborhoods, development in

existing communities and etc. Downtown Brea, California is a prime example of

Smart Growth which with city of Laredo should look into for future development.

The smart growth agenda consist of five policies. First new forms of

metropolitan governance such as environmental protection, economic

development and transportation, Second planners most control the land use to

manage growth. Third, preserve land by state resources to prevent sprawl, fourth

reinvest development in older establish area's. Finally reduce tax reforms to

reduce tension between jurisdictions.

Downtown Brea, California illustrates smart growth qualities to encourage better

quality of life. The city of Brea has recently fixed their downtown since the 1980's.

This area of Brea was decaying old poor buildings and had little use for residents

and city services. Recently around year 2000 - 2001 community developers and

residents had a positive vision to remodel the area in mix use urban

development. "The city acquired 60 acres of the city center and removed blighted

buildings, relocated business to appropriate locations, and remade downtown as

the heart and Soul of Brea (www.epa.gov)."

Brea's downtown is constructed of 350,000 square feet of commercial space,

and 19,000 feet of office space. This area also has 22 screen movie theater,

restaurants, live entertainment, night clubs, apartments, town homes, and single

family homes. The mix use of commercial and residential development gives the

downtown a live atmosphere year round with events to people of all ages.

Pedestrians are able to walk and jog along wide - beautiful sidewalks with a

shade of palm trees. Restaurants have outside dinning to accommodate

costumers. By creating a structured parking garage allows cars to drive through

downtown and lowers traffic, this new concept "Smart Growth "affects the whole

city of Brea with a better quality of life.