Smart Growth: An Interview with John Sych

John Sych

Smart Growth is a planning approach that some consider to be the antidote to sprawl.  In an interview recorded in Summer of 2007 with interns at LIAA, Grand Traverse Planning Director, John Sych, provides his explanation of Smart Growth and some insight on several techniques use to accomplish Smart Growth, including, Compact Development, Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), and studies that link transportation and land use.

What exactly does Smart Growth mean to you?  John Sych provides his definition of the term.

Some consider density to be a four letter word.  John Sych explains how density can help keep the region beautiful.

Once upon a time, brownfields (a.k.a. contaminated sites) left scars on a community.  Today, tools such as Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities (BRA) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) provide mechanisms for turning these sites into productive land uses once again.  John Sych provides a brief explanation of how these tools work.

A Transportation & Land Use Study, such as what's occurring with the Grand Vision, provides a much needed link between growth and transportation infrastructure when planning for the future of the region.  Hear John Sych tell more about this process.