Realtors Promoting Smart Growth

Topic:Smart growth and the real estate industryGuest & Organization:Hugh Morris has practiced urban planning for twenty-five years with a focus on transportation issues. After graduating from UCLA with a Masters in Planning, he spent five years with a transportation consulting firm working on transit plans, travel demand forecasting models, and travel surveys. He spent the next two years working for an energy efficiency think tank where he focused on transportation issues, including investigating the real cost of our transportation system. The next ten years were spent working with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy helping communities convert abandoned railroad corridors into hiking/biking trails. His principle area of focus was urban trails that were used for trip making as well as recreation. He has spent the last twelve years with the Smart Growth Program at the National Association of Realtors where he helps local Realtor associations around the country to become advocates for smart growth style development in their communities.He has had two papers presented at and published by the National Academy of Science’s Transportation Research Board. Additionally, he has contributed to the American Planning Association’s publication titled “Planning and Urban Design Standards” as well as “Trails for the 21st Century: a planning, design, and management manual” published by Island Press.Resources:On Common Ground – smart growth magazine from the National Association of RealtorsHow to Become a Small-Scale Developer – by Meg WhiteLocal Government Commission