Urban Sprawl and its Impact on the Local Communities - Research Paper Example

Urban Growth Policy in San Diego Introduction The United s government together with and local governments has respondedto an ever increasing urban sprawl and its impact on the local communities. Urban sprawl may be defined as residential or non residential growth that consumes a lot of resources. This means that urban growth does not only refer to an increase in population but also a surge in economic activities in and around a community. Community development is a way of managing resources and access to them by establishing guidelines and policies. The community is a social organization of various, diverse groups of people. This means that the policies being formulated have to take into account the various social, economical, cultural and academic differences in the community. Child care is a critical component of any functional urban community. The increasing urban population in San Diego means there is an increasing number of children. Majority of San Diego’s population consists of the working class, and hence a need for a reliable child care policy for community development. Many parents depend on organized out of home care for their young children. Absence of a universal child care policy by federal and state governments has led communities to seek policies of ensuring reliable and sustainable child care. The government has, however, increased spending on pre schools from 2.4 billion to 4.2 billion. Subsidies for child care services have also tripled. Typical childcare facilities use low cost housing like churches and depend entirely on parents fees to run the facilities. Objectives of the Urban Development Policy in San Diego The main objective of the Urban Development Policy in San Diego is to clarify the roles of the government and the community in the development agenda. Since urban development entails the understanding of the basic community groups, the government depends on the community to come up with policies that best suit it. The government provides the required advice, assistance and planning for the execution of the policies (Warner, 2007). Another objective is to increase collaboration and co-operation between departments in the community and those in the government. This creates synchronism between the government and the community and hence a favorable development atmosphere. Goals are easily attainable when there is mutual co-operation. To increase the community and government capacity in understanding and advancing in the development policy is another objective. The level of involvement by both community and government will directly affect the achievement of development goals. It is, therefore, necessary for them to have a clear understanding of the policy. Perhaps the most crucial objective is to enhance transparency and develop an accountability framework for progress report. There is also need to enable an evidence based decision making process for the community. Due to the diversity of needs, difference of cultures and beliefs, it is vital to develop a mechanism of inclusion (Warner, 2007). Every member of the community should feel as part of the decisions being made on his behalf. A progress report is vital for timely and economical achievement of urban growth goals. A system to ensure transparency and accountability should always be put in place. This helps to avoid corrupt practices and effectively manage public resources. Principles of a Sustainable Urban Growth Policy in San Diego Local leadership in the community plays the key role in leading the way for the development agenda. Local leaders know the community better than anyone else, and are hence best placed to represent the community. There is a need for skilled leadership within the community. Government support is paramount in the attainment of growth and development. It facilitates information, expertise and required resources. A collaborative approach between the government and community is extremely valuable (Israel & Warner, 2008). A balanced approach to economic, social, environmental and cultural issues Development in the urban setting should in as much as it is possible, target the entire community and not majority groups only. San Diego is a multicultural community with varied needs. A respect for local values is essential to any community. Development should not infringe on the values and traditions of the locals. Social inclusion is, therefore, addressed when the above issues are put to consideration. Partnership and shared interests is fundamental for sustainable growth in any community. It can be a waste of a community’s resources if development projects do not draw shrewd interests from the locals. Common vision means that the goals of a growth project are applicable to the community as a whole. The development policy should draw the same sentiments across the community. Goals of the growth policy should focus on the community’s capacity and available assets. A strong urban growth policy should inspire respect, unity and a spirit of volunteerism. Accessible, Quality and Affordable Child Care Benefits the Whole community Parents are capable of performing their economic duties. This has a direct impact on the local economy since the parents are able to balance between work and their children. 71% of mothers with children aged 17 and below are employed. 63% of these children are enrolled in one of the available child care programs (Kimmel, 2006). Most of the childcare services are informal and are run by untrained staff. Some of the most popular childcare plans include neighbors and family friends. It is difficult to find a high quality childcare facility, although childcare fees exceeded college fees in 49 states and more than a quarter of the family’s income is spent on childcare. Many parents work more than one job or have irregular work hours like night shifts and weekends. There is, therefore, a need to establish a regulated childcare service to suit every parents needs. A policy that supports neighbors and family members as alternative provider of childcare services is favorable for a working middle and lower class population of San Diego. It has been seen that quality childcare contributes to desirable development of the child and readiness for school. Studies show that children who attend childcares are less likely to be placed in special classes or to be left behind in school. They are also less likely to drop out of school. For these reasons, the government has realized the importance of investment in quality childcare services all around the country. Communities with low income earners are the most affected by lack of quality childcare facilities and hence the high cases of school drop outs. Contribution to Local Economies by Supporting Parents and Local Employers Research has shown that there is significant savings in early investment, in childcare. The local and state governments record a high return for their investment in early education of up to $7 per head invested in childcare and early child education (Kimmel, 2006). On a macroeconomic level, this investment contributes to an improved gross domestic product, jobs and better human capital. This is as a result of quality education of the population from early childhood. Childcare is a substantial small business enterprise, for example, in Mississippi; childcare employs more than 14,000 people. It also indirectly contributes to household incomes in excess of $2 billion annually (Kimmel, 2006). As an urban growth policy, San Diego stands to create numerous employments and increase household incomes across the city. The senate included childcare in the 2006 stimulus budget because of its high stimulus effect on the local economies (Warner, 2007). Childcare is prone to recession because of its low margins and high rate of turnover. By putting money in childcare, the government was able to revive local spending and aid struggling families from the far reaching effects of the recession. Various employers in the city have already invested in private childcare programs for their employees (Kimmel, 2006). This is done so as to reduce the rates of absenteeism, training and recruitment costs, project delays and employee inefficiencies. In New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, chevron co-operation worked together with local organization to get childcare back since workers at the refinery were unable to go to work. It recognized that it was a critical infrastructure for local economies. Creation of Family Friendly Neighborhoods Urban growth and development entails long term planning to ensure availability of facilities and services. This long term planning serves the local residents, workers and visitors. Family friendly neighborhoods provide their residents with social amenities such as transport, schools, parks, security and childcare (Israel & Warner, 2008). These facilities are indispensable when it comes to socially functional neighborhoods. Failure to provide essential services like childcare leads to increased development costs and poor linkages to families. There is a negative effect to housing and transportation due exclusion of families with children and also prospective families. Resistance to projects in build out areas is also another concern for the communities that do not plan for childcare in advance. In many cities and counties, planning for childcare is done ahead to avoid any barriers in future, and to enable childcare markets to develop and respond to demand. Cities in California, for example, San Diego, call for childcare integration into their growth and development policies. Incentives such as density bonuses, parking reduction, lowered leases and other benefits are offered to encourage investment in childcare. Planners consult experts who are responsible for tracking various demographics and indicators for childcare needs (Israel & Warner, 2008). They include work force, childcare demand and supply. These agencies are called childcare resource and referral centres. The purchase of new homes relies on availability, future or present of childcare facilities. There is, therefore, need for development of elaborate childcare infrastructure around existing and upcoming neighborhoods, so as to increase the returns on investments made on real estate. Policy Impact on Transport, Housing and Smart Growth To increase smart growth and sustainable urban development, there is the need to co-ordinate housing, jobs and services as close to each other as possible. The main aim is to increase housing and transportation choices for families and ample neighborhoods in developing urban areas. Childcare is ignored in many housing developments both residential and commercial. It is also omitted in many community smart growth strategies. The impact of quality childcare and early education has been demonstrated all over the country by increased gross domestic product and improved livelihoods of children who came from low income areas, but had good early childhood care. Smart growth of any county or city depends on successful integration of all economic and social tools of which childcare are inclusive. Transportation is another component of urban growth and development. Many parents have problems accessing child care, especially when it is not located close to work places, homes or schools. Low income families who have to rely on subsidized childcare are forced to drive long distances each day to get to them. This increases traffic jams and carbon emissions adding to communities problems. Productivity of these parents is affected by the time they waste on transit. The San Diego policy on childcare also touches on housing. To accommodate families, houses capable of supporting small and large families are being put up. The houses have to be affordable and with the necessary fixtures required for a family house, for example, a back or front yard and play grounds around the community. Childcare must also be located close to these communities and close to transit points. Policy Sustainability, Partnership and Financing Parents are unable to pay high fees beyond a certain point due to the diverse economic backgrounds. For this reason, many childcare providers are unable to pay up capital costs or break even. There is, therefore, a need for government intervention in the financing of child care for long term sustainability. The city of San Diego has developed a working partnership with stakeholders from various sectors, for example, housing and transport, to finance childcare development (Israel & Warner, 2008). The investors draw certain benefits from having childcare available to their target populations. A good example is a childcare lab to be built at the Santa Monica College. The 12,500 square foot childcare centre is estimated to cost $7 million upon completion. It will serve workers from the city hall, RAND cooperation and county courthouse workers. It will also serve as an early child hood study lab for the university (Kimmel, 2007). Conclusion Urban growth policies are as a result of cooperation and co-ordination local communities, government and stake holders in any city or county. The policies should emphasize on issues that affect the population if they are to be sustainable. In San Diego, it was important to address the issue of childcare provision. These have and will continue to have an effect on any other policies being formulated in the city. Increase in housing, better transport systems and improved economy can all be attributed to an evidence based decision making process within the community. The realization of childcare and early childhood education will have a lasting effect on the residence and economy of San Diego. References Israel, E., & Mildred, W. (2008). Planning for family friendly communities. Chicago: America Planning Association. Kimmel, J. (2006). Child care: Female employment and economic growth. California: Community Development Society. Warner, E. (2007). Child care and economic development: Household and public policy. New York: Cornell University Press. Read More