Rurban Solutions: Strategies for Small and Midsize Communities Rural + Urban. What are the challenges faced -- and shared -- by small and midsize cities? Peer through the "rurban" lens: Explore strategies for integrating transportation, land use, energy and affordable housing. Learn how to improve choices for low- and moderate-income households to reduce transportation costs, connect workers to jobs and facilitate upward mobility. How can we create places that are vital and healthy? Look at local economies and public spending, as well as retrofitting urban transportation for rurban use. Much is written about large urban strategies. Discover solutions for the often-overlooked quieter corners of our nation, where placemaking is just as important for creating successful and rewarding lives. Moderator: Roger M. Millar, Vice President, Smart Growth America, Washington, DC Sarah Graham, Principal, Strategic Economics, Berkeley, California James Bruckbauer, Transportation Policy Specialist, Michigan Land Use Institute, Traverse City, Michigan David Johnson, Director of Planning, Roaring Forks Transportation Authority, Carbondale, Colorado

1. CREATING CONNECTED
COMMUNITIES
Sarah Graham, Principal
Strategic Economics
RailVolution
September 24, 2014

2. Presentation Overview
 What makes a connected community?
 Why create connected communities?
 Strategies for making the connections

3. What Makes a Connected Community?
A connected community is a place where
residents have access to a range of housing
choices and can safely and conveniently
meet their daily needs on foot, bicycle and
public transit, as well as in a car.
Connected communities are characterized
by:
 Connections to Destinations
 Places for People
 Walkable Street Design

4. Why Create Connected Communities?
1. Improved Quality of Life
2. More Resilient Local Economy
3. More Efficient Use of Public Funds
More
Efficient
Use of
Public
Funds
Resilient
Local
Economy
Improved
Quality of
Life
Connected
Community

5. Strategies to Improve Connections
 Convene decision makers
 Provide multiple transportation options
 Promote accessible affordable housing in
connected places
 Support established
neighborhoods
 Refocus financial
resources

6. 1. Convene Decision Makers
 Align city departments and others around the
shared goal of linking housing and
transportation policy, planning, and
investment decisions.
 Make housing and transportation integration
“business as usual.”
 Convene regional, state, federal, and
community partners.

7. 2. Provide Multiple Transportation
Options
Example: Lake Worth, FL:
Limited financial resources
Incremental bicycle and
pedestrian improvements

8. 3. Promote Accessible Affordable Housing in
Connected Communities
Example: Park Alameda
 Located downtown
 Good bus service
 Close to jobs, retail,
and services
 Discounted bus passes
for residents

9. 4. Support Established
Neighborhoods
Example: Portland, ME
 Focus development
in neighborhood
adjacent to downtown
 Pursue funding for
infrastructure

10. 5. Refocus Financial Resources
Example: Gonzales, CA
 Seek out state and
federal grants
 Create partnerships

11. Resources and Contacts
Sarah Graham
sgraham@strategiceconomics.com
Creating Connected Communities
http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/commdevl/conne
cting_communities.html