Title

Smart Growth Policy Choice: A Resource Dependency and Local Governance Explanation

Authors

Authors

C. V. Hawkins

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

Policy Stud. J.

Keywords

smart growth policy; resource dependency; interest groups; local; governance; intergovernmental planning; LAND-USE REGULATION; PROPERTY-TAX LIMITATION; OPEN-SPACE; INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONS; SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; FISCAL BEHAVIOR; UNITED-STATES; URBAN-GROWTH; DETERMINANTS; GOVERNMENT; Political Science; Public Administration

Abstract

Smart growth is a planning and land use policy objective that generally focuses on where development should occur and how best to protect natural resources. What explains the adoption of smart growth policy by local government? This study focuses on a cooperative intergovernmental program that seeks to enhance local government abilities to work toward achieving state goals on sustainability. Extant research suggests that local interest group preferences shape policy decisions. However, much of the evidence on the influence of local interest groups on smart growth policy is presented within the coercive intergovernmental context. This article argues that resource dependency influences local decisions in pursuing a smart growth agenda when state incentives are provided. The findings suggest that fiscal capacity and the characteristics of local governing institutions are significant predictors in the decision to take part in an intergovernmental program. Business and neighborhood interest groups have a significant effect on policy adoption, as do local characteristics depending on the smart growth functional area.

Journal Title

Policy Studies Journal

Volume

39

Issue/Number

4

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

679

Last Page

707

WOS Identifier

WOS:000297748200006

ISSN

0190-292X

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