2 Making The Invisible Visible - Abigail Thorne-Lyman
1. Making the Invisible Visible:
Understanding the Demographic and Economic
Forces that Shape Land Use and Development
Abby Thorne-Lyman
Congress for the New Urbanism
June 11, 2009
2. Presentation Overview
Why are demographic and economic forces
important?
How to evaluate a local economy
Bringing transportation into the story
Lessons learned for comprehensive planning
4. The Economy (Jobs & Wealth)
Workers (and their
families)
Population and Job
Growth
Buildings,
Infrastructure,
Purview of the Comp Plan Public
Services
6. U.S. Household Structure is Changing
In 2000, only 1/3 of total households had kids
under 18
About 24 percent were traditional nuclear families
7. A “Minority Majority” Future
By 2023, majority of children will be non-White
By 2042, majority of whole population will be non-
White
8. Households are Aging
By 2050: 19 million people over the age of 85,
more than three times the number we have
today
9. Growing Demand for TOD
National Demand for TOD by Income, 2030
$75,000 and
Gre r
ate
Only 1/3 of demand is at the 21 % L s Than
es
$20,000
m edian incom or above
e 29%
$50,000 -
$74,999
1 3%
$20,000 -
$35,000 - $34,999
$49,999 1 9%
1 4%
11. Local Economic Activity Provides:
Quality of Life for Community Residents
(jobs/income, services, enrichment)
Tax Base for the Community (property taxes, sales
tax, etc.)
Metropolitan Competitiveness and Prosperity
(providing jobs, workers, or both to regional
economic “niches”)
12. Standard Land Use Map
Employment
Areas are usually
the least
“understood”
areas in a comp.
plan
But, there is
often
considerable
pressure to
convert
employment
lands to other
uses.
14. Understand
Your
Industries
Driving Industries –
Sell goods and services
beyond city
Household Serving
Industries – Provides
goods and services for
residents (and other
people in the city)
Business Serving
Industries – Provides
services to other
businesses in the city
18. When gas prices increase…
Transportation Costs as % Median HH Income
(Center for Neighborhood Technology: http://htaindex.cnt.org)
$1.81 /gallon $4.47/gallon
19. Quality Transit has Origins and Destinations
Map
Current Worker Flow
to Boyle Heights,
Downtown
Current Worker Flow
from BH
22. 1. Different opportunities for change influence the
plan approach
Built Out Community Developing Community
Understand Your Opportunities for Change
23. 2. Local Economies Are Not Just Local
Workers in and out
Job Center
Bedroom Community
Always Consider the Regional Context
24. 3. Good Land Use Policy can support Economic
Development
Use Real Estate Market Data
and Projections to Test Land
Use Assumptions
25. 4. Plan for Diversity
This applies to every aspect of your
community