A new book co-authored by National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education (http://www.smartgrowth.umd.edu) research professor and URSP faculty member Reid Ewing concludes that urban development is both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.

The book, entitled Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, is to be published by the Urban Land Institute in November. It suggests that meeting the growing demand for conveniently located homes in walkable neighborhoods could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive. That, in turn, could shrink the nation's carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices, the authors say.

The study represents a collaboration among leading urban planning researchers, including the University of Maryland's Ewing, Steve Winkelman of the Center for Clean Air Policy, Keith Bartholomew of the University of Utah, and Jerry Walters of Fehr & Peers Associates. Smart Growth America coordinated the multi-disciplinary team that developed the recommended policy actions and is leading a broad coalition to develop those strategies further. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hewlett Foundation provided funding for the underlying research.

To see a draft of the book, go to:
http://www.support.smartgrowthamerica.org/growing_cooler