The term “smart growth,” or the variation “responsible growth,” has worked its way into Connecticut policy debates and into state law in the past few years, but we still aren’t really doing it — walking the walk, growing smartly. This became painfully clear as I read Andres Duany’s new book, “The Smart Growth Manual.”

Duany, the Miami-based architect, planner and New Urbanist, and fellow planners Jeff Speck and Mike Lydon, have written a remarkably concise set of planning principles aimed at stopping urban disinvestment and wasteful suburban sprawl. There’s great wisdom here; every mayor and planner ought to read the book, and give copies to city council members.

via Smart Growth: How Far We Are – Courant.com.

On March 6, Professor Sara Bronin will present her paper “Fighting Energy Sprawl with Microgrids” at the 2010 meeting of the Association of Law, Property and Society. Professor Bronin has researched and published in the area of property, land use, and historic preservation law.

via Fighting Energy Sprawl | University of Connecticut School of Law.

PLYMOUTH — In a presentation to the economic development commission Wednesday night, Milone & MacBroom, a engineering and planning firm, presented several options for the Route 6 streetscape project.

Khara Dodds, director of planning and economic development, said the town was able to hire the Cheshire firm to present the town with options and drawings through a Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant. The next step is to draw up some plans and start construction.

via Plymouth gets a glimpse of future streetscape – The Bristol Press.

Clinton’s Downtown Revitalization Committee presented plans for a substantial downtown beautification project that would substantially upgrade the looks of the town center, such as this graphic of proposed improvements for the Rte. 1 bridge over the Indian River.

via How Much Beauty Does $21M Buy? Clinton Downtown Revitalization Committee Presents Plans | Clinton Zip06.

As Connecticut ages, our development is working against us. The suburbs can be an unpleasant place to get old.People move into sprawling communities for different reasons — a big lawn, some fresh air, good schools. Privacy is a big draw.

via Car-free living by necessity – Connecticut Post.

Is the cul-de-sac about to get the sack?

The bulb-shaped dead-end street, a standard pattern of postwar suburban development, is under attack. Earlier this year, Virginia became the first state to severely limit cul-de-sacs from future development, as The Washington Post reported. Cities such as Portland, Ore., Charlotte, N.C., and Austin, Texas, have essentially banned new cul-de-sacs. Other cities and states might follow suit.

So what happened?

via Cul-De-Sac Now Passe? – Courant.com.