Symposium on Transportation Oriented Development
Connecticut’s economic growth and characteristic
New England charm are threatened by congestion.
The state’s major cities are stretched
along the three east-west transportation corridors,
while land use policies and building codes favor
low density, sprawling development. Public transit
is limited; even sidewalks are in poor condition.
Connecticut is becoming a collection of detached
communities that are dependent on personal automobile
use. As land values rise, affordable housing
is pushed farther away from already low density
urban areas, forcing middle and low income families
to live at greater distances from employment
and increasing the sprawl and dependence on
the automobile.
AIA Connecticut’s initiative, Next
Stop: A Symposium on Transit Oriented Development,
offered an analysis of how an integrated statewide
transit system and a responsive land use policy
could address the congestion problem, encourage
business growth, and contribute to the preservation
of the historic character of small towns and
villages. Participants included select men,
mayors, zoning and planning officials, and
representatives of select state agencies and
legislative committees. Goals of the Symposium
were:
• To inform and inspire an audience
of decision makes in Connecticut towns and
cities
• To deepen understanding of issues
and disseminate best practices for its audience
• To provide tools to towns and municipalities
to develop innovate solutions that directly
address the critical problems identified
• To enable community leaders to visualize
successful outcomes.
A direct response to issues identified by
the State Economic Community, the Connecticut
Business and Industry Association, the Connecticut
Conference of Municipalities and others, Next
Stop will focus on:
• Economic development affordable housing
• Highway congestion
• Sprawl and loss of character for Connecticut
towns
Case studies and presentations demonstrate
how Transit Oriented Development can be a
tool for building successful, sustainable,
walkable communities at higher densities served
by a more sophisticated mix of transportation
options.
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