Places should be built for all people to enjoy in an environmentally clean and healthy way.  Economic policy should mean making property and land use decisions that work for the economy at large, not just a lucky few who bought cheap land or can build expensive condos.   In other words, let’s make property and people economically as well as environmentally sustainable.     

This forum will look at the upcoming new rules for development such as SB 375 and the state of the real estate market in the Bay Area.  The drive toward “smart growth” may or may not be so smart, depending on who you are, how you currently commute and where you live.  Smart Growth will work for inner city infill developers and could help some realize gains in their property values as proximity to public transportation and “walkability” become more desirable.  But what about renters in the upcoming Transit Oriented Hubs?  How will they fair.  What kinds of jobs will be available in these new urban cores?  How will lower income individuals, or families find living in higher density professional environments.  Our land use policies do little to address equity in development.   We believe we have a unique opportunity right now to call for a different kind of development, a truly smart, sustainable model that is equitable.  Equitable Development is the idea that land use policies should consider a wide range of issues, from jobs, low and moderate income housing needs, access to health, education and other social services.   Now is the time to create the model for this kind of development.