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Urban Land Institute


Urban Land Institute
 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, DC 20007-5201
202-624-7000
[www.uli.org]
Contact: Ann L. Oliveri, CAE, Senior Vice President for Strategic Development


CEO: Richard M Rosan
Budget: $ 28 Million
Staff Size: 110





Plexus Consulting Group, LLC
1620 Eye Street, NW
Suite 210
Washington, DC 20006
Phone:  202-785-8940
Fax:      202-785-8949
Email:   info@plexusconsulting.com


 

Vital Stats:

The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the institute now has more than 29,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service.

 

The Challenge | The Solution | The Process | Unforseen Benefits | Measurements & Results | Lessons Learned

 

The Challenge

How to orchestrate economically sound and environmentally friendly urban growth?

According to ULI, we in the United States grow annually by 2.7 million people every year, requiring an additional 1.5 million housing units every year. While some advocates encourage a no-growth posture, most people view growth not only as inevitable but also as positive if channeled properly. The sprawl that has resulted from growing dependence on the automobile and a historic commitment to single-use zoning has not resulted in smart growth. ULI has been at the center of the smart growth movement for the past six years. How can the Institute work to create a smart growth consensus among organizations that have always been at odds over the issue of growth?

The Solution

To provide a neutral forum for smart growth solutions and objective information to help communities make effective urban planning decisions.

ULI defines smart growth as growth that is economically sound, environmentally friendly, and supportive of livable communities. ULI recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenge of urban growth. Because ULI has a longstanding reputation for objectivity and professional expertise, it has been able to serve as a neutral forum for promoting constructive dialogue to achieve workable smart growth solutions.

ULI's Smart Growth initiative provides an alternative method for policy-making, position-taking and coalition building. ULI replaced traditional adversarial advocacy campaigns with collaborative processes, empowering individuals (ordinary citizens and volunteer leaders) to find their own smart growth solutions. ULI led a think tank, trade association and an environmental group to win unprecedented internal support for an innovative advocacy approach that works in today's 'e-mocracy.'

The Process

"Bringing people who had never seen each other, except in court, to the table."

The objectives of ULI's Smart Growth initiative are to:

  1. Rethink strategic options available to influence public policy and change the rules, collaborating with stakeholders to solve problems rather than continuing to fight it out at any cost
  2. Reinvent internal policy-making and chapter communications, engaging volunteer leaders as producers, not consumers, of advocacy programs
  3. Reposition ULI as an ambassador for change, telling stories of outcomes from public relations programs and documenting how ULI "makes a visible difference"


Background
Suburban development has enabled tens of millions of Americans to live the "American Dream" in safe, affordable, attractive homes and communities. But many argue that these same development patterns undermine the quality of life because they have led to traffic congestion, over-crowded schools, degradation of air and water quality, loss of open space in metropolitan areas, inadequate infrastructure, and abandonment of traditional downtowns and inner-city neighborhoods. In recent years, public policy makers, private business interests and environmental and community advocacy groups have come to agree that these problems can and must be addressed by offering a broader range of alternative development patterns within metropolitan areas.

ULI's mission, to provide leadership in the use of land to enhance the total environment, is another way of defining smart growth. ULI is ideally positioned to serve as the place where different stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels can come together to discuss their common interests, work out their differences and find smart growth solutions.

ULI's Smart Growth timeline began in 1995, when the Institute's leadership met with representatives of the Conservation Fund, Audubon Society, Ducks Unlimited, and other environmental groups to exchange ideas on programs of mutual interest. A major milestone was reached in 1997 when ULI and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed a cooperative agreement to advance smart growth programs. EPA knew that in order to address urban growth issues effectively, the government had to engage the private sector. In 1997, ULI and the EPA convened the first national Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Baltimore, Md. Among the dozens of partners who have joined the coalition building effort are the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Conservation Fund, the Trust for Public Lands (TPL), the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and the National Association of Counties (NAC).

Going forward, ULI is shifting the focus from national trends to local implementation and removing local barriers to smart growth. This evolution from large-scale forums to practical tools and objective information supports those who wish to lead smart growth initiatives in their communities. Some of these tools include:

  • Smart Growth Tool Kit and video (December 2000)
  • Ten Principles for Reinventing America's Suburban Strips (April 2001)
  • Myth and Fact of Infill Housing (June 2001)


By working with diverse stakeholders at the national, regional and local levels, ULI supports grassroots initiatives by providing:

  • Objective, nonpartisan information and research
  • Regional, national and global policy forums
  • Diverse points of view, local network, local media relationship
  • E-news, web sites, advisory services, fellows, museum exhibit
  • Conduit for foundation support


According to Ann Oliveri, ULI's Senior Vice President for Strategic Devleopment, the program focuses on "engaging citizens in decisions about how and where they want their communities to grow." To date, ULI has committed 10% of its budget, integrating Smart Growth into its research, book publishing, magazine features, meetings, and chapter relations programs as well as outreach and media relations.

Key milestones in the evolution of Smart Growth are:

  • Roundtable: National Smart Growth Policy and Practice Roundtable brings together NAHB, NRC, Sierra Club, and other stakeholders. (1998)
  • Partnership: In 1998, ULI and Conservation Fund announce education alliance. Environmental Workshop launched in 2000. ULI, NAHB, NAR, TPL cosponsor exhibit series at National Building Museum on Smart Growth. (1999-2000
  • Partnership: ULI and Bank of America announce Partnership for Smart Growth: Community Outreach Initiative. (1999)
  • Web Page: Weekly e-newsletter, Smart Growth News launched. (1999) Today 3,500 subscribe and more than 1,500 news stories are archived.
  • Web Page: Smart Growth Project Reference Files publishes on-line. (1999)
  • Web Page: www.smartgrowth.net links the press to smart growth news.
  • Booklet: Smart Growth, Myth and Fact. (1999)
  • Book: The Practice of Sustainable Development. (1999)
  • Roundtable: Second National Smart Growth Policy and Practice Roundtable held in Washington, D.C. on infill development. (1999)
  • Regional Symposium: Incentives for Smart Growth, Chicago, IL. (1999)


More recent milestones include:

March 2000: First Smart Growth Conference in Australia
Co-sponsored with the Property Council of Australia, ULI provided the featured speakers at the first Smart Growth Conference, "Comeback Cities," attracting state prime ministers and local government officials as well as private sector owners, developers and investors.

October 2000: First ULI/JC Nichols Prize for Visionary Development Awarded
"Through this prize, we are seeking to reward individuals who inspire urban development that enhances the livability of our communities," he said. "Our goal is for this prize to be a highly visible symbol focusing public attention on the importance of true visionary community development, reinforcing quality of life and smart growth issues for the century ahead." The first recipient of the $100,000 prize, named last year, was the Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr., mayor of Charleston, S.C. Mayor Riley was selected to receive the prize in recognition of his contribution to Charleston's renaissance over the past 25 years.

December 2000: First Regional Alliance: Smart Growth Alliance, Washington, D.C.
Today more than a dozen regions, including Washington, D.C., are using smart growth programs to create a positive dialog to find solutions to sprawl. In December 2000, the ULI-fostered Washington, D.C. initiative was formalized.

"The Smart Growth Alliance is a coalition of local Washington, D.C., civic, business, and environmental organizations that have pledged to work together on smart growth solution to combat sprawl and enhance the quality of life in urban regions," says ULI Washington District Council Chairman David Mayhood. Alliance members include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders and the ULI District Council.

December 2000: First Statewide Initiative: ULI California Initiative
ULI and its five California District Councils have formed a State Coordinating Committee of diverse stakeholders representing private sector business interests, high profile public sector officials, environmental and civic activists. In addition to the creation of the coordinating committee, the California Initiative's year one plans include: three regional smart growth intitiatives; completion of research that summarizes demographic and development trends in California, and convening of two advisory workshops that examine incentives and regulatory reforms that can encourage smart growth. In turn, the Committee will share findings with state and regional decision-makers.

March 2001: Third Annual National Roundtable
Representing a wide variety of interests, the diverse group included representatives of the co-sponsoring organizations: American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), NAHB, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), NAR, and the Real Estate Roundtable, as well as representatives from local governments, environmental organizations, educators and neighborhood activist groups.

The group noted that some of the obstacles blocking widespread development of smart growth communities include opposition from community residents who feel left out of the planning process, as well as out-of-date zoning ordinances and processes that restrict flexible design alternatives.

In some cases, community opposition can be overcome by showing residents how smart growth development will help sustain, rather than change, the character of their communities, said Marcos DeLeon, a representative of the National Neighborhood Coalition from Austin, Texas. "In order for poor people and communities of color to support smart growth, they must be part of the process. They don't want to be pushed out of their neighborhoods. Smart growth development should benefit the entire community, not just those who will be living in development itself," he said.

April 2001: First Smart Growth Solutions Series Publication
Ten Principles for Reinventing America's Suburban Strips highlights the most effective ways to reinvent retail strip development by setting principles that chart a course for future use. The publication resulted from a charrette, sponsored last year by ULI, the first in a series of charettes seeking solutions to specific land use and growth management problems.

April 2001: Second Annual Smart Growth Conference in Australia

Measurements & Results

"A government affairs approach for the new economy: people are not being co-opted, they are being heard."

To date, ULI has established the following forums for "getting people to the table," building trust and supporting smart growth at the national, regional and local levels:

  • Partners for Smart Growth Conference: Annual conference that draws 1,000+ smart growth advocates.
  • National Policy and Practice Roundtable Series: Leadership of key stakeholder groups meet periodically to explore techniques and policies that advance specific smart growth best practices.
  • Advisory Services: Real estate and planning services for complex land use planning and development projects.
  • Mayors Forums: ULI sponsors three mayors forums each year on some aspect of bringing community back to the city. At these events, six mayors and 20 or so ULI members discuss city revitalization techniques.
  • Smart Growth Regional Symposium: Frequently used to initiative a collaborative process between various stakeholders on smart growth issues.
  • Leadership Issue Forums: Designed to bring various local leaders - generally up to 30 participants - to the table to discuss and advance smart growth locally.
  • District Council Partnerships: Smart Growth requires regional collaboration, trust-building, and grassroots action. To sustain that level of involvement and interaction, District Councils play a critical role in engaging local stakeholders.

In addition, ULI has developed the following Smart Growth communication vehicles:

  • Leadership Development: Training programs and materials on working with the media and community outreach are being conducted for District councils and key constituents in selected areas.
  • Speakers: ULI provides expert speakers to allied organizations and stakeholder groups on transportation, neighborhood revitalization, etc.
  • Op-Ed: A series of essays by senior resident fellows and officers are being placed in business and daily newspapers to clarify issues.
  • Smart Growth News: Prepared every week for ULI and available at no charge by e-mail subscription, each Smart Growth News issue contains 20 to 30 abstracts of articles culled from more than 1,400 information sources. To date, some 3,000 individuals have subscribed to Smart Growth News.
  • www.smartgrowth.net: A journalist web site featuring a cross-section of stakeholders, such as Bank of America, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the Conservation Fund.
  • Smart Growth Exhibit at the National Building Museum: On April 19, 1999, the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., opened an exhibit entitled Where Do We Go From Here? - the first of four in a series called Smart Growth: Choices for Change.
  • Urban Land Magazine: Every Month ULI covers the trends and innovations in land use and real estate development, much of which can be defined as Smart Growth.
  • Books, Case Studies, Research Reports: A variety of ULI publications feature examples and insights on how the public and private sectors can implement smart growth. By showcasing smart growth best practices, ULI is helping communities across the country to replicate effective, sustainable, "quality of life" growth models.


Through Smart Growth, ULI spearheaded the creation of a new advocacy model. The new model has successfully brought environmental activists, developers, government officials and other stakeholders in the smart growth debate together to develop creative solutions that work for all parties. Through its role as a facilitator and educator, ULI has succeeded in exploding many widely held urban development myths. It has also made a towering contribution to thought leadership by pioneering a new form of dialogue that is sure to have broad applications beyond the smart growth arena.

 

Lessons Learned
"The world is ready for problem solving."

ULI's Smart Growth model is focused on problem solving, not special interest advocacy. As a 501(c)(3) organization, ULI is not involved in lobbying. Over the years, ULI has built substantial credibility with the media and government. Its nonpartisan stature is one of the key elements that enabled ULI to serve as an impartial "forum-maker" in the smart growth debate. Once ULI was able to convince the various stakeholders to enter into a dialogue, these groups realized that "they had much more in common than they would ever have believed."