ENS 301.02-Sustainable Urban Development
Aaron Bigelow- ENS 301.02
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How do city planners in West Michigan approach the conservation of natural areas while meeting the demand for housing?
How do city planners in West Michigan approach the conservation of natural areas while meeting the demand for housing?
Housing demand is soaring in West Michigan, threatening natural areas that bring recreational opportunities while mitigating the effects of climate change.
Housing Next (2022) estimates 35,000 new housing units must be built in the next three years to meet the need for housing in West Michigan.
Housing Next (2022) estimates 35,000 new housing units must be built in the next three years to meet the need for housing in West Michigan.
Many residents identify natural areas as fundamental for outdoor recreation.
Many residents identify natural areas as fundamental for outdoor recreation.
A detailed plan for the conservation of these areas is necessary while ensuring an adequate amount of housing is constructed. This plan will utilize different strategies attempting to balance housing demand and conservation.
Data and strategies from many different local organizations will be instrumental in paving the path forward
Housing Demand
Housing Demand
-Pandemic induced decrease in supply and increase in demand
-Pandemic induced decrease in supply and increase in demand
-Increased household formation
-Increased household formation
-The cumulative effect of the underproduction of new housing
-The cumulative effect of the underproduction of new housing
-Historically low mortgage interest rates
-Historically low mortgage interest rates
have all led to a displacement of unmet homebuyer demand into the rental market." (Mallach, 2023, 15).
have all led to a displacement of unmet homebuyer demand into the rental market." (Mallach, 2023, 15).
Integrating environmental and human goals can be done when we consider the following infrastructural amenities:
Integrating environmental and human goals can be done when we consider the following infrastructural amenities:
-Water
-Sanitation
-Energy
-Ventilation
-Indoor and outdoor urban environment
-Health
-Community (Cheshmehzangi et al, 2021).
Climate change presents many new issues that could be mitigated by conserving natural areas
Climate change presents many new issues that could be mitigated by conserving natural areas
Riparian buffers and natural drainage swells can assist in mitigating polluted runoff and trash from entering our water systems.
Greenspaces and trees in urban environments can eliminate the heat island effect, bettering human health and saving energy costs.
Every community in West Michigan presents different characteristics that require a unique path forward
Every community in West Michigan presents different characteristics that require a unique path forward
-Agricultural lands
-Urban Lands
-Watersheds
-Understanding demand drivers will help to plan most efficiently
Conserving Natural Areas in West Michigan
Conserving Natural Areas in West Michigan
Ottawa and Kent County both have extensive park networks
Utilizing current land and acquiring new spaces will take careful planning and community input
Integration of natural spaces in urban contexts
Theoretical Frameworks
Theoretical Frameworks
Urban Reslience Theory (URT) and Human- Nature Connection Theory (HNCT)
Urban Reslience Theory (URT) and Human- Nature Connection Theory (HNCT)
-Climate change
-Green infrastructure
-Human health
-Community planning
-Sustainable urban development
References
References
Ali Cheshmehzangi, Chris Butters, Linjun Xie, Ayotunde Dawodu (2021), Green infrastructures for urban sustainability: Issues, implications, and solutions for underdeveloped
areas, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Volume 59
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127028
Bowen National Research. (2022). Housing Needs Assessment 2022, Grand Rapids/Kent County, MI. In Housing Needs Assessment [Report].
https://www.housingnext.org/_files/ugd/8dbec7_932f7ff01ac54ed4bab4251d7ce5ac4f.pdf
Bowen National Research (2021). Housing Needs Assessment 2021, Ottawa County, MI. In Housing Needs Assessment [Report]. https://www.housingnext.org/_files/ugd/8dbec7_932f7ff01ac54ed4bab4251d7ce5ac4f.pdf
Land Conservancy of West Michigan (2020). Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s Strategic Conservation Plan [Report].
https://naturenearby.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Strategic-Conservation-Plan-sml.pdf
MALLACH, A. The United States Housing Affordability Crisis: NO EASY SOLUTIONS: The many dimensions of the crisis, the impact of the pandemic, and what will (and won’t) really make a difference. Public Management (00333611), [s. l.], v. 105, n. 12, p. 12–17, 2023. https://research.ebsco.com/c/6l5vh5/viewer/pdf/nrzjr5xzuv
Ottawa County Parks (2024). Ottawa County Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan [Report].
https://www.miottawa.org/Parks/pdf/Strategic-Plan-2024.pdf
Parker J, Simpson GD. A Theoretical Framework for Bolstering Human-Nature Connections and Urban Resilience via Green Infrastructure. Land. 2020; 9(8):252. https://doi.org/10.3390/land9080252
Peng, J., Wang, A., Luo, L., Liu, Y., Li, H., Hu, Y., Meersmans, J., & Wu, J. (2019). Spatial identification of conservation priority areas for urban ecological land: An approach based on water ecosystem services. Land Degradation and Development, 30(6), 683
https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3257
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