Healthy Communities
Constance C. Holland, AICP
Director
State of Delaware Planning
Coordination
Post WWII Sububanization
“Suburbia” by David Shankbone
President Kennedy visits
Delaware in 1963
“Moving Day”
Historical Growth Patterns
in Delaware
Demand for Infrastructure
DelDOT Photos
State funded infrastructure and services
impacted by land use decisions
• Delaware Roads = 90%
• Paratransit = $32 per person vs. $5 for DART ride
(2008)
• Schools = 70% - 80%
• School Transportation = 100% (up 52% since 2002).
• Paramedic Services = 60%
• State Police = Delaware’s largest police force.
• 14 State Service Centers delivering 160+ programs
and services
Need for Change
New Castle County: Wilmington Riverfront Area
Kent County: Dover
Lexington Glen
Sussex County: Milton
Cannery Village
Kent County: Dover
Overlook on Silver Lake
Kent County: Dover
Overlook on Silver Lake
Sussex County: Milton
Paynter’s Mill
Photos: Delaware State Parks
Photos by Mike Mahaffie
Photos by Mike Mahaffie
Photos by Mike Mahaffie
Photo: Delaware State Parks
More examples from the:
Delaware by Design
Bus Tours
New Castle County: Newark Streetscape,
Main Street Opera House
New Castle County: Wilmington Riverfront Area
New Castle County: Wilmington Historic District
Kent County: Smyrna
Health and Wellness Center / Opera House
Kent County: Dover
Lexington Glen
Kent County: Dover
Overlook on Silver Lake
Sussex County: Milton
Cannery Village
Sussex County: Milton
Paynter’s Mill
Path Forward
Trends in Delaware
• Delaware’s population is aging
Figure 5. Age Breakdown in Delaware, 2000-2030
2030
24%
2020
25%
2010
26%
2000
53%
57%
10%
16%
59%
28%
0%
20%
13%
59%
20%
30%
Age 0-19
40%
50%
Age 20-64
60%
Age 65-84
12%
70%
Age 85+
80%
90%
100%
Infrastructure Costs of Five Community Prototypes
Source: The Brookings Institution on Urban and Metropolitan Policy
(Muro & Puentes, 2004)
$60,000
$50,000
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
Low
Density
Sprawl
Recreation
Roads Streets
Sprawl Mix
Schools
Utilities
LowDensity
Planned
Planned
Mix
High
Density
Planned
Public Facilities
Construction/Other*
*Includes construction cost of the
unit and other expenses such as
land dedication.
Capital Costs per Unit (Public Portion)
Source: The Brookings Institution on Urban and Metropolitan Policy
(Muro & Puentes, 2004)
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
Low
Density
Sprawl
Sprawl Mix
LowDensity
Planned
Public Costs
Planned
Mix
High
Density
Planned
Opportunity to Walk
• Vehicle miles
reduced by 40%
• Improves air
quality
• Saves on auto
maintenance.
Changing Trends
• Research indicates demographic changes
and consumer preferences will
dramatically shift demand for style / type of
housing in next 20 years.*
• “as baby boomers become empty nesters
and retirees, they’re drawn to compact,
walkable neighborhoods. So are single
adults and married couples without
children.”
* Source: Ewing, Reid, “The Demand for Smart Growth: What Survey Research Tells Us”. Planning Magazine, December 2007..
Too much of the “big stuff” already
• Arthur C. Nelson of Virginia Tech projects that by
2025, the demand for attached and small-lot
housing will exceed the current supply by 35
million units (71 percent), while the demand for
large-lot housing will actually fall short of the
current supply. We have too much of the big stuff
already.*
* Source: Ewing, Reid, “The Demand for Smart Growth: What Survey Research Tells Us”. Planning Magazine, December 2007.
The next generation need will need
compact well planned communities.
• Between now and mid-century America
will have to rebuild itself to accommodate
population growth.
• If 75% of the new construction is of a
more compact variety, emissions could be
reduced by 10% or more.
• --Ed Glaeser (“TRB Report Evaluates
Densification & VMT Reduction”)
Same Space
Look what can be done with 121 acres
 2,622 Feet 
 2,019 Feet 
Approximately 121 Acres
897 Housing Units
76 Housing Units
1,088 Persons
205 Persons (Estimated)
Retail
Restaurants
Hospital
Churches
Park