Growth and Sprawl

Smart Talk for Growing Communities

Overview Success Stories Resources News Articles

Too often, public officials wait to involve the public in decisions about their community's growth until a crisis develops over issues like new roads, shopping centers, or housing developments. But what if public officials found a way to tap the wisdom and energy of citizens before divisive controversies arise?

Dialogue-to-change programs help people build the trusting relationships necessary for long-term change. People from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust, understand each other's experiences, and work together on solutions.

Read profiles of programs addressing growth and sprawl in their communities

Success Stories

Planning a better community for all

Once known as an agricultural center in the state, Putnam County, Ga., is now a community feeling the effects of regional growth. This year, long-time residents and new-comers come together to help shape the future of the community. Read more

Planning a better community for all

Experience is the best teacher

Kuna, Idaho: Where a community pulls together to face growth

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Resources

Story Booklet: Kuna, Idaho: Where a community pulls together to face growth

Spanish-Language Discussion Guide: Conversaciones sobre comunidades en crecimiento: Enfrentándose a los retos del crecimiento y desarrollo urbano.

Comprehensive Discussion Guide: Smart Talk for Growing Communities: Meeting the Challenges of Growth and Development

Newsletter: Focus on Everyday Democracy (Spring 2008) (Volume 19, Issue 1)

Newsletter: Focus on Everyday Democracy (Fall 2008) (Volume 19, Issue 2)

Video: Colorado Springs, CO: Dream City Vision 2020

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News Articles

January 25, 2010 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., seeks residents' input for crafting sustainable vision Sustainability in Portsmouth examined
by Dave Choate

January 9, 2010 | Colorado Springs Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs, Colo., moves from vision to action DREAM CITY: Time to implement change
by Kate Jonuska

January 2, 2010 | Colorado Springs Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Author to talk about taking ownership of our communities Author to talk about how to get our community unstuck
by Warren Epstein

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Success Stories

Planning a better community for all

Experience is the best teacher

Bert Cohen, Skye Maher, and Zelita Morgan, all of whom participated in a round of study circles held by Portsmouth Listens, worked to introduce the idea of a sustainability framework to Portsmouth’s master plan. “It really shows the power of the study circle process,” says Jim Noucas, Portsmouth Listens co-chair. Read more

Kuna, Idaho: Where a community pulls together to face growth

Kuna faces many questions these days. Often, the answers—or at least a sense of direction on how to tackle ongoing issues—come through Kuna ACT (the Alliance for a Cohesive Community Team). Launched in the late 1990s, Kuna ACT is one of the oldest ongoing community-based study circle programs in the country. Read more

Resources

Kuna, Idaho: Where a community pulls together to face growth (2004)

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Conversaciones sobre comunidades en crecimiento: Enfrentándose a los retos del crecimiento y desarrollo urbano. (2001)

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Smart Talk for Growing Communities: Meeting the Challenges of Growth and Development (1998)

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Focus on Everyday Democracy (Spring 2008) Volume 19, Issue 1 (2008)

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Focus on Everyday Democracy (Fall 2008) Volume 19, Issue 2 (2008)

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Colorado Springs, CO: Dream City Vision 2020 (2008)

News Articles

January 25, 2010 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., seeks residents' input for crafting sustainable vision Sustainability in Portsmouth examined
by Dave Choate

January 9, 2010 | Colorado Springs Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs, Colo., moves from vision to action DREAM CITY: Time to implement change
by Kate Jonuska

November 22, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, NH Brainstorming a sustainable city
by Gina Carbone

October 15, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Schools smart to get input from parents

October 14, 2009 | Seacoast Online | York, Maine Community dialogue effort uses Facebook for virtual meeting Web site aims to engage community
by Deborah Mcdermott

October 14, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Parents want answers on Portsmouth school redistricting
by Adam Leech

September 30, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire A call for “study circles” on school redistricting plan Let parents take part in redistricting city schools

August 26, 2009 | The Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs Library exhibit honors visionaries who shaped the region
by Kate Jonuska

August 24, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, NH Middle School Bond was a Must

August 19, 2009 | Foster's Daily Democrat | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Building a 21st century education in Portsmouth
by Charles McMahon

August 10, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Public to weigh in on Portsmouth middle school bond
by Adam Leech

August 5, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire "Study circle"-supported school renovation inches closer to becoming a reality Portsmouth Middle School tours offered today
by Adam Leech

July 23, 2009 | Seacoast Media Group | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., continues to advance school renovation City Council encouraged to advance PMS bond

July 19, 2009 | The Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Hundreds dream about a better place at Dream City summit
by Andrea Brown

July 14, 2009 | Arizona Star | Tucson, Arizona Has all that talk led to action? Reflection on community conversations in Tucson, AZ
by Ron Shoopman

May 3, 2009 | Seacoastonline.com | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Helping a town go green Communicategreen: Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative
by Christopher Peake

March 6, 2009 | The Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Dream City 2020: Springs should tap its wonders, find its identity
by STEVEN POPE

February 24, 2009 | Colorado Springs Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Dream City 2020 hopes to help the city realize its potential
by Bill Reed

February 16, 2009 | The Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs, Colo., looking into the future DREAM CITY 2020: Colorado Springs harvests wind, sun
by James Ciletti

January 14, 2009 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Local 'green' movement will pay off

January 11, 2009 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Excitement grows at sustainability event
by Gina Carbone

January 8, 2009 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire A time of challenge and opportunity in Portsmouth, N.H. Portsmouth Sustainability Initiative 'winter gathering' on Jan. 10
by Deborah McDermott

November 12, 2008 | Peninsula Daily News | Port Townsend, Washington Port Townsend stadium a field of needs
by Jeff Chew

November 5, 2008 | The Emporia Gazette | Council Grove, Kansas Town's future to emerge from conversations Morris County asks public to help with strategic plan

October 23, 2008 | The Herald-Dispatch | Huntington, West Virginia Create Huntington seeks input, ideas for improving city
by Bruce Decker, Opinion

October 15, 2008 | Kansas City InfoZone | Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Mo., to help develop transportation plan Citizens Will Help Decide How to Spend Tax Dollars on Transportation Projects for Next 30 Years

September 22, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth board: Pay attention to middle school process
by Adam Leech

September 19, 2008 | The Herald-Dispatch | Huntington, West Virginia Seeking a new vision for Huntington, W.V. Group seeks new vision for city
by Jean T arbett Hardiman

September 18, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Getting green in Portsmouth, N.H. Go-green group wants you
by Deborah McDermott

September 10, 2008 | Chattanooga Times Free Press | Chattanooga, Tennessee Bringing change through conversation

September 9, 2008 | Nashville Business Journal | Nashville, Tennessee Public meetings set for West Nashville Community Plan

September 7, 2008 | Bloomington Pantagraph | Bloomington, Illinois Revitalizing a city is taking root West-side garden project planting seeds of renewal
by M.K. Guetersloh

August 27, 2008 | Montana State University News Service | Melstone, Montana The little town that could Melstone residents are growing their city after years of dwindling population
by Carol Flaherty

July 23, 2008 | Pine Bluff Commercial | Pine Bluff, Arkansas Developing a 20/20 strategic town plan Pine Bluff 20/20 Town Hall Meeting Scheduled Tuesday

July 9, 2008 | Journal Inquirer | Coventry, Connecticut New generation of ‘study circles’ to look at development
by Robert J. Cyr

July 6, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Making sustainability part of everyday conversation World environmental conference brings vital message home
by Adam Leech

June 27, 2008 | The Gazette | Colorado Springs, Colorado Where will we be in 2020? Imagine it's the summer of 2020
by Warren Epstein

June 5, 2008 | The Nashua Telegraph | Brookline, New Hampshire Brookline groups ready to look to future
by Hattie Berstein

May 28, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | York, New Hampshire An appeal to make every voice count in York, Maine The Observer: York must communicate before attempting town hall project again
by Ron McAllister

May 23, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth sustainbility experts invited to worldwide event
by Adam Leech

May 20, 2008 | The Tampa Tribune | Tampa, Florida Creating a livable city for Tampa, Fla. Plan Will Enable Tampa To Greet Coming Growth With Enthusiasm

April 20, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth Sustainability Fair draws a crowd
by Adam Leech

April 17, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire 'Green' fair Saturday Music, kids games featured in environment-friendly event
by Karen Dandurant

April 16, 2008 | Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader | Port Townsend, Washington Everyday people finding solutions to global warming PT action group considers creative ways to reduce vehicle emissions
by Scott Sands

April 15, 2008 | The Keene Sentinel | Keene, New Hampshire Gazing into the future of Keene City officials call on residents to join in updating master plan
by Anika Clark

April 11, 2008 | The Cabinet | Brookline, New Hampshire A vision for the future - Brookline begins process of planning to direct growth
by Marc Smith

April 7, 2008 | Anderson Independent Mail | Seneca, South Carolina Developing a long-range plan in Seneca, S.C. Seneca residents invited to share ideas at study circles
by Chad Dorsett

April 7, 2008 | Foster's Daily Democrat | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Sustainability fair planned in Portsmouth

April 6, 2008 | The Keene Sentinel | Keene, New Hampshire Creating a new vision in Keene, N.H. Studying Keene

March 15, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Middle school dispute thaws in Portsmouth
by Adam Leech

February 7, 2008 | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Recreation on Jones Ave. Councilor wants to make use of land
by Adam Leech

January 24, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Middle school site vote could be forced
by Adam Leech

January 17, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire A meeting of the sustainability-driven minds Initiative seeks out new projects
by Beth LaMontagne

January 11, 2008 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Sustainability groups party set

December 28, 2007 | Portsmouth Herlad News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire City supports residents leading sustainability efforts City's green committee gets thumbs up
by Adam Leech

October 4, 2007 | Portsmouth-Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Middle school site switch feared
by Adam Leech

September 30, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cohen: Sustainability of the planet starts locally
by Chris Elliott

September 28, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Green' region goal of this project
by Adam Leech

September 16, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire 18 set sights on the City Council: Age, experience and reasons for running run the gamut
by Adam Leech

September 12, 2007 | The Capital Times | Monona, Wisconsin Monona takes a 'natural step' to a greener city
by Karyn Saemann

September 10, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., residents take on sustainability City to study sustainability; Effort aims to get residents talking about big changes
by Adam Leech

July 3, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., school board backs study circles' recommendations Kudos to board for progress on school concept
by Editorial

June 19, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Study circles are voice of reason in the middle school debate
by Opinion

May 1, 2007 | Portsmouth Herald News | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Middle school talks go public Many citizens turn out, ready to give input
by Susan Nolan

May 30, 2006 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, New Hampshire Portsmouth, N.H., brings dialogue to city budget decisions

February 28, 2006 | Casa Grande Valley Newspaper | Casa Grande, Arizona Study circles to help shape future of Casa Grande, Ariz. Study circles forming to see how residents feel about CG
by Susan Randall

January 11, 2006 | Idaho Press-Tribune | Kuna, Idaho Study circle coordinator lends an ear to her community Johnson hears a Who
by Carol Huffman

March 25, 2005 | The Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH A sneak peek at city's future
by Emily Aronson

January 7, 2005 | Telegram & Gazette | Woodstock, CT Woodstock Study Circles envisions a bright future
by Vito J. Leo

December 18, 2004 | Fresno Bee | Madera, CA New Madera needs help from all good people
by Mike Fuller

October 6, 2004 | Norwich Bulletin | Woodstock, CT Woodstock residents create 'study circles'
by Jennifer Babulsky

November 13, 2003 | The Chronicle | Willimantic, CT Blueprint for Willington's future nearly done
by Sean O'Leary

September 15, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Portsmouth has spoken - now it's time to listen
by Editorial

July 18, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Sharing information is key in building community
by Jesse J. DeConto

July 16, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Mixed-use redevelopment proposed for key city areas
by Jesse J. DeConto

July 13, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Leave keys at home: Walk, bike around city
by Richard Fabrizio

July 11, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Volunteers unveil vision for city's future,'
by Nancy Cicco

July 9, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Listen group presents findings,'
by Nancy Cicco

May 16, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Planning Board approves plan for Sagamore Creek conservation land
by Jesse J. DeConto

April 30, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Portsmouth Listens hears about project
by Jesse J. DeConto

April 17, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Group plans to activate vision
by Lisa Arsenault

April 5, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH No need to wait to enact Portsmouth Listens initiatives

April 4, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Residents describe their visions for the city's future
by Jesse J. DeConto

March 30, 2003 | Portsmouth Herald | Portsmouth, NH Portsmouth Listens, air vision for the future of the city
by Jesse J. DeConto

August 15, 2002 | Capital Times | Madison, WI Growth eyed for study circles on race
by Pat Schneider

April 20, 2002 | Fresno Bee | Fresno, CA Study Circles: The truth is out there and it's complex
by Wendy Nugent

December 1, 2001 | Small Community Quarterly | Washington, DC Smart Talk for Growing Communities
by Patrick Scully

June 21, 2001 | The Altamont Enterprise | Guilderland, NY Mohr: Study Circles are unbroken 4 years later
by Lynn Rothenberg

April 19, 2001 | Madera Tribune | Madera, CA Meeting of minds held at Madera Center
by Tina Amendola

April 16, 2001 | Madera Tribune | Madera, CA You're invited: Action forum tomorrow evening
by James A. Glynn

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