Environmental Costs of Urban Sprawl in Northeast Ohio

Goal: Help develop a framework for evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of alternative land-use patterns in Northeast Ohio.

As Northeast Ohio sought new strategies for economic revitalization, the Center for Regional Economic Issues (REI) at Case Western Reserve University led a regional effort to better understand the long-term consequences of urban sprawl and alternative development patterns.

TerrAqua participated in public and technical stakeholder meetings to identify regional priorities, needs, and capabilities. We helped develop an analytical framework for evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of alternative land-use scenarios, contributed recommendations and analytical approaches, and translated complex technical information into clear, accessible findings for policymakers, community leaders, and the public. Our work supported the region's consensus-based approach to sustainable land-use planning.

Client: Center for Regional Economic Issues, Case Western Reserve University