SELLING SMART GROWTH

Abstract

“Selling Smart Growth” analyzes some of the effects unplanned development has on a city’s gross metropolitan product (GMP). “Selling Smart Growth” uses the case study method to illustrate the effects of unplanned development by comparing a Green GMP to standard GMP. The difference between the two GMPs represents the cost of unplanned development. “Selling Smart Growth” concludes that planned development’s cost over time is lower. Using this data, smart growth public policy advocates can increase their chances of implementing smart growth policies by selling it to the American people by arguing that it will save them money. The principle advisors to this thesis are Dr. Kathy Wagner Hill, the Associate Program Chair for the Government Program at The Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Dorothea Wolfson, former U.S. Rep. William Clinger of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Benjamin Ginsberg, the David Bernstein Professor of Political Science, Director of the Center for the Study of American Government, and Chair of the Government Program of Advanced Academic Programs at The Johns Hopkins University.