Population Growth in Urban King County, Washington: Planning for a Sustainable Future

Presenter Information

Elliot Allen

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom C/D

Start Date

16-5-2013

End Date

16-5-2013

Abstract

Rationale: Regulations governing population density are producing patterns that cannot accommodate projected growth. This project–a policy analysis–examines policy options to maximize the effectiveness of urban development strategies with regard to environmental and human well-being as population increases. The importance of this analysis lies in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, an urban development strategy with a long-term environmental perspective, keeping in mind the ultimate goal of maximizing material resource efficiency within neighborhoods. Findings: By making established neighborhood cores more all-encompassing with regard to meeting the daily needs of residents, fewer resources will be ultimately be used in daily life. By zoning urban cores to allow for affordable housing, easy access to public transportation, and a thriving business environment, people’s need to stray far from their homes drops off dramatically. When residents can find employment, purchase food and other essentials, and also enjoy recreation and other kinds of entertainment near their home, their need to venture further than their neighborhood all but disappears. Through zoning and other policy options, energy and resource efficiency increases will be an important step as our society uses more and more energy and also puts great population stresses on the land. Methods: The project’s design consists primarily of online information provided on relevant topics by state and local government entities.

Poster Number

34

Faculty Mentor(s)

Rex Wirth

Additional Mentoring Department

Political Science

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May 16th, 2:15 PM May 16th, 4:44 PM

Population Growth in Urban King County, Washington: Planning for a Sustainable Future

SURC Ballroom C/D

Rationale: Regulations governing population density are producing patterns that cannot accommodate projected growth. This project–a policy analysis–examines policy options to maximize the effectiveness of urban development strategies with regard to environmental and human well-being as population increases. The importance of this analysis lies in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, an urban development strategy with a long-term environmental perspective, keeping in mind the ultimate goal of maximizing material resource efficiency within neighborhoods. Findings: By making established neighborhood cores more all-encompassing with regard to meeting the daily needs of residents, fewer resources will be ultimately be used in daily life. By zoning urban cores to allow for affordable housing, easy access to public transportation, and a thriving business environment, people’s need to stray far from their homes drops off dramatically. When residents can find employment, purchase food and other essentials, and also enjoy recreation and other kinds of entertainment near their home, their need to venture further than their neighborhood all but disappears. Through zoning and other policy options, energy and resource efficiency increases will be an important step as our society uses more and more energy and also puts great population stresses on the land. Methods: The project’s design consists primarily of online information provided on relevant topics by state and local government entities.