Title
Special Presentation: Urban Greenspace
Report
Issue:
A panel of four regional experts will discuss and take questions from Planning Commissioners on urban greenspace. Topics to be explored include the wide range of health and community benefits that result from integrating nature into the urban environment, and how to preserve, create, and manage urban greenspace for long-term benefit.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner
Dr. Kathleen Wolf, Research Social Scientist, University of Washington
Betsy Bermingham, Landscape Architect, Anchor QEA
Jennifer Chang, South Sound Green Cities Project Coordinator, Forterra
Darren Sandeno, Landscape Architect, Parametrix
Background and Analysis:
Planning for Growth
Since the 1970's, the population and economy of the Puget Sound region has been growing. According to the Thurston County Profile
, the county's population more than doubled between 1980 and 2010. Forecasters expect Olympia's population and employment will continue to increase over the next 20 years. In 2010, the estimated population of Olympia and its Urban Growth Area was 58,310 residents. Forecasters expect our population will increase to 84,400 by 2035, a rate of approximately 2% a year.
In the early 1990s, the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) was passed in response to rapid and sprawling growth. Many parts of the state were experiencing a decrease in quality of life, negative effects on the environment, and increased costs for municipal infrastructure and maintenance. GMA directs urban areas, such as Olympia, to absorb more of the state's population growth than rural areas to preserve forests, wildlife habitat, farms, and other valuable lands. Focusing growth in urban areas also reduces vehicle traffic, polluti...
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