Supporting Smart Development: No to Sprawl, Yes to Trees and Wetlands

The current state of real estate development in Durham is one of increasing sprawl that is entirely dependent on more and more automobile traffic. This model is unsustainable for our infrastructure and resources, but also detrimental to our quality of life. Higher density development projects should be favored along mass transit corridors, in areas that are walkable to schools and shops, and away from environmentally sensitive areas where run-off can negatively impact our water sources. Our Uniform Development Ordinance guides the vision of Durham's future landscape. It is currently in the revision process, but given the accelerated pace of extreme climate-induced weather events, the UDO needs to be aggressively updated to allow for environmental mitigation of climate change. We know the cooling effect tree canopies have in urban areas. We know the beneficial effects of vegetation along streambeds and in wetlands. Both should be fiercely protected. Once these crucial aspects of our environment are gone, the effects will touch us all.