Livability: A Small Town Value

Davidson, North Carolina, population 7,100, isn't the kind of global metropolis that is normally looked to as a cutting-edge example of sustainable transportation planning.

By making new development walkable and bikeable, Davidson, North Carolina preserved its small town character as it grew. Photo: U.S. EPA

But a new series from Transportation for America holds up tiny Davidson as a national model for the country's smaller cities. T4America is highlighting Davidson's success as part of a series on livability and smart growth in 12 rural areas and small towns.

T4America is running the series, in part, in support of the Livable Communities Act, as a response to senators who say the bill won't help rural areas. So far they've also highlighted smart growth leaders in Laconia, New Hampshire; Cache Valley, Utah; Menominee Indian Reservation, Wisconsin and Huron, South Dakota, with more to come.

Elsewhere on the Network, Walk Bike New Jersey is helping the League of American Bicyclists build a campaign on behalf of the Active Community Transportation Act; Charleston Moves examines the city of Cincinnati's decision to reopen a number of one-way streets to two-way traffic; and SFBart's Blog highlights the expiration of federal funds to promote public transportation in San Francisco on days when ozone pollution is most hazardous.