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Resolutions Adopted at the
67th Annual Conference of Mayors
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 11-15, 1999 |
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ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
A NATIONAL CALL TO END SPRAWL
WHEREAS, over the last several decades, sprawled development – characterized
by low-density, single-purpose land use; ad hoc, disjointed planning; siting of new
construction in fertile farmlands; and excessive consumption of greenfields – has
exacerbated economic, environmental and social problems; and
WHEREAS, this pattern of sprawl development is draining cities of tax revenues
and cultural diversity; putting impossible infrastructure demands on outer ring suburban
jurisdictions, leading to traffic congestion and an expensive and unending cycle of road
building; as well as contributing mightily to water, land and air pollution; and
WHEREAS, low crime rates, affordable housing, adequate public transportation and
good public schools are necessary to attract residents to cities that have lost population
over the last three decades; and
WHEREAS, redeveloping brownfield sites presents a significant opportunity to
recycle previously used land and revitalize our cities to the extent that, according to
research conducted by The U.S. Conference of Mayors, 115 of America’s cities have the
capacity to absorb more than 3.4 million people without adding appreciably to their
infrastructure -- a population about equal to the City of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the problems of sprawl, many cities are taking steps to
manage their growth by redeveloping brownfields, conserving open space, and adopting other
measures that reverse disinvestment in existing communities (e.g., in November 1998,
voters approved 72% of the 240 state and local ballot measures put before them on
conservation, parklands, and smart growth); and
WHEREAS, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development recommends
managing the geographic growth of existing communities and the siting of new ones through
using land efficiently, promoting mixed-use and mixed-income development, retaining public
open space, and providing diverse transportation options,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors declares that
sprawl represents one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our nation’s
cities in the new millennium; and calls on federal, state and local agencies to cooperate
to develop comprehensive and coordinated strategies that promote all of the ingredients
that go into making healthy and livable cities -- ones that are attractive, clean, safe,
and rich in educational and employment opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors enters into new
partnerships with groups approved by its President to form urban-rural coalitions that
will preserve America’s farmland and simultaneously revitalize its cities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on Congress and
the Administration to provide tools to local governments to redevelop their brownfield
sites through such means as addressing brownfield redevelopment liability, the need for
environmental assessments, and funding for clean up; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S.
Department of Transportation to work with state departments of transportation and
metropolitan planning organizations throughout the country to examine new highway
construction priorities and a national program that concerns creating alternative
transportation systems fostering more compact and sustainable development; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to organize its anti-pollution programs into a more
comprehensive, coordinated approach aimed at combating sprawl; and to work in conjunction
with other federal agencies in combining federal environmental resources so that local
elected officials have access one-stop shopping for addressing sprawl; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development to join with the U.S. Department of Commerce
to repackage its economic development programs so that they work with local governments in
ways that stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically distressed
neighborhoods and encourage the development of untapped markets.
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