Principles

Improve Mobility for All Residents

There are few topics more on the minds of Southern Californians than transportation. One of Compass Blueprint's key elements is its emphasis on boosting the region's mobility - helping people get where they want to go and in a way that uses land and other resources more efficiently.

The reality is that in any major metropolitan area there will always be traffic congestion. The key is to take positive steps to reduce that congestion and provide choices, such as walking, riding a bike or using transit. In a balanced system people don't have to use their car for every trip, for every errand, and for every commute to and from work.

The Compass Blueprint vision calls for designing streets that can accommodate pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and that can include amenities such as medians and street trees. A key factor in increasing mobility is to shift the way we think about streets and roadways - to think of them as much more than simply a means for vehicles to get from one place to another. They should not be a place just for cars. They should also be a place for people.

On a broader scale, the region must begin looking at land use and transportation as two parts of one important whole. Instead of making a decision about how a certain piece of land will be used, such as for a major new housing development, the region needs to think simultaneously about the transportation ramifications. How will residents of the new development get to and from work? How far away is the development from major services and amenities? What are the mobility choices for the people who will live there?

The 2% Strategy will increase the region's mobility by:

Putting new employment centers and new neighborhoods near major transit systems so that people can have transportation choices other than their cars.
Designing safe, attractive transit centers and plazas that people enjoy using.
Creating mini-communities around transit stations, with small businesses, urban housing and restaurants all within an easy walk

Foster Livability in All Communities

A livable community is like a great piece of art. It's difficult to define what makes it great, but we know it when we see it. Livability also means different things to different people and there are many views of what constitutes a great city.

But there are certain key features that can and do define every livable neighborhood, community, city and region. These features will look and function differently in every location, creating a unique sense of place and character that defines a community and the people who live there.

Whether people choose to live in a relatively dense urban core or in one of the region's many suburbs, there are plenty of ways to increase our livability. Some areas will experience minimal change, while others will see more pronounced changes. Emphasis will be placed on focusing new growth in existing areas that are located along major transportation systems, resulting in better access to jobs, cultural opportunities and a variety of housing choices.

Livability may mean something different to everyone, but a common thread that runs through any livable region is a sense of community, innovation, character and progress woven together into something that simply feels right. It feels like home.

The 2% Strategy will increase the region's livability by:

Injecting new life into tired or under-used areas by creating vibrant new business districts, redeveloping old buildings and building new businesses or housing on vacant lots.
Creating mini-communities, complete with a variety of uses such as shops, lofts and townhomes, and small businesses, along or near major transit hubs.
Carefully preserving existing, stable, single-family neighborhoods and existing natural and green spaces.
Designing communities that can be enjoyed on foot, with plenty of opportunities for "people-scaled" experiences.

Enable Prosperity for All People

A vibrant, successful community does not just happen. It requires a long-term commitment to seeking new opportunities and to supporting policies that encourage a healthy economy.

Southern California is already ahead of many communities in this category. We benefit from a strong freight system that moves goods from the region's ports to consumers throughout the world. Our world-renowned entertainment industry serves as a focal point for tourism and tens of thousands of jobs. The Southland is well known as a center of culture and commerce.

But there is more that we can do to continue this prosperity during the next few decades. We can bolster our growth management policies, as outlined in the Growth Vision, by encouraging new growth to occur in major centers and corridors rather than spreading ever-outward. These policies will allow communities and business districts to develop a unique character and identity that will increase consumer spending and help the economy.

Nearly every region in the country could benefit from updated land-use policies that encourage innovative approaches to creating better, more vibrant communities. Compass Blueprint represents an important first step - a vision and a strategy for how Southern California can ensure that its long-term economy is healthy and beneficial to everyone.

The 2% Strategy will increase the region's prosperity by:

Taking steps to create local and state policies that encourage balanced growth and many different kinds of jobs and industry.
Providing a range of housing types so that people of all income levels can live comfortably and safely.
Supporting a integrated approach to land use and transportation decisions so that limited resources can be used most effectively.
Treating communities equitably when it comes to environmental issues so that one area or group of people does not bear an unfair burden.

Promote Sustainability for Future Generations

Sustainability is often defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Planning for sustainability encompasses promoting responsible development and growth that uses natural resources efficiently. Sustainable development strives to achieve the greatest common good for all segments of our population, protect the health of the environment and assure future generations of the resources they will need to survive and progress. With the projected growth of approximately five million people by 2035, Southern California is vulnerable to the pressures of unchecked growth without consideration of the natural systems that support our communities and economy including air quality, water quality and energy supply. A regional, coordinated approach to sustainability will help accommodate growth while also protecting natural resources and improving our quality of life.

California municipalities are facing new legal requirements from AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act) as well as greater community interest in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through sustainable development practices. Research has shown that compact development connected to transit reduces automobile travel and therefore, greenhouse gas emissions. Compass Blueprint has made great strides since 2004 by providing more transportation choices and reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. However, a more holistic approach to sustainable development is needed to address AB 32 and anticipated federal greenhouse gas legislation.

Compass Blueprint helps local governments integrate sustainability into their planning and link up with potential incentive programs. The sustainability tools offered by SCAG include GHG inventories for proposed projects, a menu of options and strategies to reduce GHG emissions, financial feasibility/return-on-Investment analysis tools with sustainability indicators, green building guidance, and access to partnerships with local utilities that provide financial incentives for energy efficient projects.  We can also offer guidance on improved drought-tolerant streetscaping, increasing community open space and habitat, and reducing risks from natural hazards.

The 2% Strategy will increase the region's sustainability by:

Helping local governments navigate the new realities of environmental review and greenhouse gas legislation.
Offering new services that encompass sustainable development practices and resource conservation.
Focusing future growth in urban centers and existing cities to reduce vehicle miles traveled and preserve rural and other natural areas.