Techniques for Coordinating and Managing Growth

Abstract

Growth management can be defined as the mitigation of the impacts of growth in order to improve or maintain the quality of life in a community. The quality of community life has traditionally meant dealing with traffic congestion, preserving open space, and maintaining air quality. The quality of life envisioned can only be articulated by the citizens who live and work in the community. Community values and goals as defined and explained in a community plan serve as the starting point for quantifying what makes up the quality of life. Traditionally, communities have successfully prepared their community plans and planned individual projects, yet have been unable to achieve the community plan goals. One approach to assist communities in avoiding this dilemma is to create a coordinated implementation strategy to ensure that the quality of life is not adversely affected by future growth. This approach creates a proactive system aimed at enabling the community to focus on the attainment of its' community vision as individual projects are reviewed and approved. By clearly articulating the values of the community and identifying those items that contribute to the quality of life through the creation of a growth‐management program (or strategy) and implementation plan, it is possible to establish an effective approach to manage future growth.