Growing Smart by Linking Transportation and Land Use: Perspectives from California

In many fast-growing parts of the USA, transportation problems are to a significant degree outgroths of housing and land-use problems. Long journeys to work, traffic congestion and mobile-source pollution are tied to shortages of affordable housing, fiscalisation of land use and real-estate market distortions in California. While road capacity kept pace with state population growth from 1984-97, it has lagged behind the number of vehicle miles travelled. Increasing the supply of affordable housing near urban job locations, especially those with good public transport could help considerably in shortening commuting distance, prvided people chose to live near their place of work. Insufficient housing is cited as a particular problem in job-rich areas. Three land use strategies that hold promise for achieving smart growth in California are discussed: compact cities, public transport-orientated development, and traditional neighbourhood designs. Ways of mitigating the unintended and harmful effects of regulatory policies are discussed. It is suggested that jurisdiction over transportation and land use matters should match commuting hinterlands rather than political boundaries.