• Green Neighborhoods
  • Learn
  • Plan
  • Act
    • Characteristics
      • Location
      • Density and Mixed-Use
      • Pedestrian Environment
      • Cycling Environment
      • Support for Transit
      • Parking Management
      • Transportation Management
      • Green Networks
    • Policy Levers
  • Leading Actions
Location
Locating new development on underused land within the city (infill sites), within suburban neighborhoods, and on abandoned mall sites (grayfields) or contaminated sites (brownfields) is a key opportunity to reduce GHGs.
Greater densities allow for greater greenspace adjacent to buildings.

This is because people who live within the built-up part of a community are responsible for 20 to 40 percent less travel-related greenhouse gas emissions than those who live on the outskirts. 

Besides reducing emissions, these actions can:

  • Improve the tax base.
  • Revitalize existing neighborhoods and retail areas.
  • Protect environmentally sensitive areas and agricultural land.
  • Make infrastructure systems more cost-effective.
  • Expand housing available close to existing job centers, contributing to affordability if the housing is kept to a size and budget that  low- and middle-income people can afford.

Grand Rapids Master Plan: The 2002 Master Plan for Grand Rapids, Michigan is an example of a comprehensive plan that has different policies and strategies for different neighborhood types.  Policies support sensitive density increases that bring the average to 10 to 15 units per acre in mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods with good connections, transit support, and high-quality design features that ensure liveability.