[ OUR OPINION ]
HONOLULU'S high ranking as a metropolitan area that has resisted what is termed urban sprawl is colored somewhat by geography. After all, how much sprawl can there be in a city situated on a volcanic island about 44 miles at its longest and 30 miles at its widest, divided by two mountain ranges, and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean? Still, the report by a group called Smart Growth America points out what damage can result to the quality of life from the lack of careful planning. Steering city’s growth key
to keeping quality of life
THE ISSUE Honolulu gets high marks in controlling sprawl even with geography lending a hand.
The study focused on 83 metropolitan areas across the United States and generally scored cities on "centeredness," meaning population and housing density; the mix of homes, places of employment and service; the availability and use of town centers or downtown areas; and accessible street networks. Cities that scored poorly had more fatal traffic accidents and air pollution due to lengthy automobile commutes between homes and jobs, fewer options for mass transit and spread-out suburban areas. Among the areas that also scored well were New York City, Jersey City, N.J. and San Francisco.
With a limited amount of land suitable for building, Honolulu can't help but put up homes close to each other. Residents of newer communities can attest to close quarters where neighbor can hear neighbor from one living room to the next. Favorable or not, land-cost-driven housing clearly qualifies Honolulu for the density factor.
Although Honolulu neighborhoods generally support nearby shopping and service areas, most aren't close enough to entice residents to walk instead of getting into their cars. Further, people don't usually live and work in the same area, so commuting is a problem. Short though the distance from home to work may be, the amount of time it takes to drive those few miles isn't a component measured by the study and because of trade winds, air pollution in Hawaii is less of a problem than in mainland cities.
However, the survey is not without merit. It shows that projects such as Kapolei are the wiser choice, where the intention is to provide housing linked to large employment centers. It further displays how projects that focus primarily on housing with limited employment components, such as those proposed for Central Oahu, will further tax the city's infrastructure and the island's resources, such as water and desirable open space.
The survey also urges urban planners to consider renewal projects rather than building on undeveloped lands. Refurbished communities, such as Kaimuki, draw businesses and result in more jobs. Similar redevelopment containing the proper mix of business and housing could enliven a neglected district, such as Kalihi. Taking these steps would keep Honolulu livable and in the top rankings of smart growth 10 to 20 years from now.
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Published by Oahu Publications Inc., a subsidiary of Black Press.Don Kendall, Publisher
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