Arizona faces one of our greatest challenges yet as we prepare to absorb 5 million new residents by the year 2025. This unprecedented growth will mean heavy strains on the state’s land, air and water. If we are to succeed in managing this pressure, we must begin planning now.
The Arizona League of Conservation Voters supports:
- Promoting the development of master-planned communities in order to ensure compliance with minimum open space and environmental protection requirements, and inclusion of mixed use retail and commercial space so that residents can work where they live and reduce commute time.
- Encouraging close communication with city planning staff and local officials to ensure that new communities can be accommodated by existing or planned infrastructure and transportation systems.
- Promoting alternate forms of transportation such as public transit and bikeways as well as increased use of pedestrian-friendly spaces.
- Ensuring that local governments have the ability to control and direct growth in a manner appropriate for a community’s unique circumstances and residents’ values.
- Focusing on opportunities for infill, redirecting development from the fringes and towards our urban cores to make efficient use of existing infrastructure, provide affordable housing for families, and minimize traffic congestion and transportation costs for Arizona’s workers.
