Promoting Better Design in Cities
The Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development seeks to improve the design, operation, efficiency, and livability of neighborhoods, cities, and regions by examining the direct impacts and implications of the way investments and decisions are made that affect the built environment. We promote awareness of sustainable, efficient, and health-supportive design of the built environment through the development of context-sensitive solutions.
Estimating the Safety Benefits of Context Sensitive Solution
Sponsor: Georgia Department of Transportation | January 2011 - December 2011
The purpose of this comprehensive review is to identify the state of the practice of CSS in the U.S. and provide guidance to GDOT based on this information. A secondary objective of the research is to show the benefits of the CSS approach. The literature review included in this report provides a basic overview of the historical and practical foundation of CSD, the precursor to CSS. The literature and case studies reviewed show that transportation projects can be delivered in a cost-effective and context-appropriate manner in a constrained fiscal environment. When combined with CSS principles, a practical design/practical solution approach can be a “middle-way” method for DOTs that are interested in pursuing CSS principles but find themselves in a constrained fiscal or budgetary environment.
Troup County, GA Strategic Plan
Sponsor: Troup County GA and its Cities | May 2007-June 2009
In June 2007, leaders in Troup County and the cities of LaGrange, West Point, and Hogansville kicked off a two-year strategic planning initiative to create a framework for sustainable development. The goal of the effort was to develop innovative strategies for promoting quality growth, fostering healthy economic development, enhancing the quality of life of residents, and protecting Troup County’s natural environment, sense of place, and community.
The lead organizations, contracted with Georgia Tech to assist the community in this assessment and planning process. Through its Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2) and Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD), Georgia Tech conducted research, assessments, and strategy development in support of this initiative. More than 200 individuals in Troup County participated in the assessment and development process. The final document was published in August, 2008 and action items with task assignments completed in August, 2009.