The economic gold of the times

This piece from American Prospect Online, Sustainable Cities: Smart growth is newly fashionable. But what will it take to turn fashion into national policy? touches on issues I think are very compelling (as did this article, where Oregon business leaders described "Sustainability as Oregon's Brand and Niche," written about in this blog post). Peirce is a highly regarded Washington Post columnist on community and development issues.

From Philadelphia to Seattle, Boston to San Diego, city officials agree that green urban settings are a critical draw in an era when highly educated, mobile professional workers -- the economic gold of the times -- gravitate to attractive, welcoming, and healthy places.

What's more, claim the apostles of green, property tax yields from homes and apartments near parks are significantly higher. Tree-lined streets alone increase property values some 15 percent.

Quite quickly in this decade, the familiar definition of "green" has advanced from trees and plants and parks to a much more inclusive vision of city and metropolitan planning. Moreover, it now comprises an array of environmental issues . . .

Smart Growth, sustainable development, watershed restoration, green building, parks, walkable neighborhoods, mixed-use, placemaking: this is happening in places all over the world. Cities and regions are competing to attract educated workers and creative citizens with commitments to the environment and the social fabric of their communities.When it's all connected it produces even more value and will be a revolution in how we build and develop our communities. Pringle Creek is putting it all together and is on the leading edge.