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After outlining, in the previous parts of this series, the scale of the problems our communities face, let鈥檚 look at what has to happen to make positive changes to their forms, mobility patterns and fiscal conditions. The basic concept is to plan for people first, and it鈥檚 imperative to note that this means all of a community鈥檚 residents.

In determining how communities should be shaped in the future, it鈥檚 important to look at residents鈥� daily needs and how they move around to access services, workplaces, schools, recreational facilities, etc. The uses of land and how people circulate and use transportation services have to work together in the most efficient way possible. And in order to accommodate every resident, it鈥檚 critical that there be a full range of housing types 鈥� not just single-family homes.

The only way to meet these objectives is by providing compact, mixed-use development that enables people to walk to grocery stores, other local retailers and service providers, well-designed public spaces, schools, nature parks, etc., with access to frequent transit for work and other longer trips. Compact development forms can provide a range of housing options in every community, from basic apartments to large condominiums, so there is something for every budget. But this type of development can only work with good transit, and in fact providing good transit is only truly affordable and viable when matched with well-designed compact development.

These 鈥渨alkable鈥� communities have proven health benefits, lower greenhouse gas emissions, better social connections, a more equitable distribution of public resources and a strong sense of community. Portland has been a leader in this type of integrated planning and compact development, but it will be very challenging, here and elsewhere, in more suburban settings.