Smart Infill

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(75 pp, October 2008)

"Smart Infill is an impressive resource; every metro area in the country should have—and use—a guide like this."

– Christopher Leinberger,
Brookings Institution fellow and
author of The Option of Urbanism

Smart Infill is a practical guide to help elected officials and local residents invest in their communities to create inviting neighborhoods where people can afford to live. Smart Infill splits up the process into four stages:

• Planning: Finding Room for Infill
  From adopting an urban growth boundary to environmental review

• Community: Creating Better Places to Live
  Providing affordable homes, working with neighbors to meet local needs, preventing displacement, and creating better public spaces.

• Design: Making the Most of the Infill Site
  Making infill successful by planning well for density, reducing parking needs, and ensuring good design.

• Development: Strengthening and Streamlining the Process
  Dealing with brownfields and stormwater, finding financing, and streamlining the approval and building process.

Smart Infill's 12 case studies include San Francisco, San Mateo, Redwood City, Morgan Hill, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Rafael, Petaluma, and Windsor, as well as examples from many more. The guidebook also includes recommendations for state and regional action.

Press Release

Executive Summary

"Greenbelt Alliance’s new guidebook will help cities throughout the Bay Area and beyond see how to make 'smart infill' a reality in their communities."

– Mayor Chuck Reed, San Jose