SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project: Gauging Suburban Mixed Use Development:  Case Studies of The Woodlands and Sugar Land Town Square (TX)

Project Number:  476660-00048

Principal Investigator:
Carol Lewis
(713) 313-7924
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas Southern University
lewis_ca@tsu.edu

Project Monitor:
Jeff Taebel
Mng. Community and Environmental Planning
Houston Galveston Area Council
PO Box 22777
Houston TX. 77227

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/08

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/09

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $69,190

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $69,190

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
In recent years, more suburban communities are being designed to incorporate characteristics of smart growth development.  One of the principal elements of smart growth is a mix of land uses that enable residents to have at their disposal a variety of needs from essentials, such a groceries, to optional recreational activities.  A smart growth community is intended as a legacy community, where children and grandchildren are proud to return.  As the idea of smart growth has gained prominence, its beginning in central cities and urban areas has spread to the suburbs.  Professionals wonder if smart growth can be successful in suburban environments and whether these communities mirror their urban counterparts when developed far from the central city.   This work will designate smart growth elements and assess their presence or absence in two suburban communities.  Also, researchers will gauge trip making in the two suburban communities to determine whether changes in travel habits occur for suburban mixed use dwellers.

Project Objectives:
The goal for this research is to assess two suburban mixed used communities to ascertain whether they exhibit the key traits of smart growth, ultimately determining if there is a benefit  or advantage to having suburban mixed use development.  There are two principal questions to be addressed as part of this research as follows:

• How does suburban mixed use look vis-à-vis the core elements generally listed for mixed use developments?
• How does transportation fit into suburban mixed used development in the Houston examples?

Task Descriptions:
Task 1:  
Conduct a review of literature to seek publications targeting suburban mixed use developments; also assemble information on smart growth and mixed use to determine the list of traits desirable for mixed use communities. 

Task 2: 
Based on information from Task 1, determine criteria for quality mixed use development.

Task 3: 
Collect data and descriptive characteristics of the two case study communities:  Sugar Land and The Woodlands and compare the two communities with other suburban mixed use areas learned about from Task 1. 

Task 4: 
Assess the two Houston suburban centers vis-à-vis the criteria determined in Task 2.

Task 5: 
Work with project monitor and other area professionals to confirm a methodology that will provide a description and measure of travel behavior of suburban mixed  use residents compared with others.  The best comparative source may be a traditional non-suburban neighborhood. 

Task 6:
Synthesize findings from Tasks 1 through 5 and prepare the final report.

Index Terms:
Mixed use development, Smart growth, Land use planning, Sustainable development, Suburbs, Trip purpose, Travel behavior, Public transit, Transit operating agencies, Texas, Sugar Land (Texas)