The voters in her state approved the purchase of 1 million acres of rural land and other open space, half the remaining developable land in New Jersey, to preserve farmland, protect water resources and create recreational space for cities and towns. In effect, that open space will serve as an urban growth boundary, refocusing investment back into the cities. The movement is in its infancy, however, and the potential for internal conflict remains alive. One conference panelist, for example, noted that water-quality regulations could prevent the achievement of urban density in some areas, even though density, in general, is the most effective antidote to environmentally destructive sprawl. Sometimes the conflict can be resolved with careful design, but often compromises or trade-offs are required.
Smart growth demands flexibility on all sides.
In so large and mixed a chorus, you can expect some to sing a little sharp, some a little flat. The main thing is that they're all singing from the same page. This new NPG Special Report documents the beginnings of America's concern with overpopulation and our lack of a national population policy today. The nation has made significant progress in improving our air quality and protecting public health, but challenges still remain. Besides toughening the national health protection standards for smog and small particles in 1997, the Clinton Administration recently issued a rule reducing the regional transport of nitrogen oxides, ensuring that 138 million Americans living in the eastern United States will breathe cleaner air.