John W. Frece – författare

An account of the origin, enactment, and implementation of Maryland's Smart Growth land use program begun in 1966.Sprawl and Politics is a political history of the origin, enactment, and implementation of Maryland's well-known Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation initiative. It is an insider's look at the political pressures and decisions made by Parris N. Glendening, the former governor of Maryland, and his top staff as they worked to enact and implement a new program to manage growth and curtail sprawl. The book traces the evolution of the Smart Growth program from its substantive underpinnings to the political and public relations strategies needed to assure the program's adoption.Known around the country almost immediately after it was enacted, the program's incentive-based approach served as a model for other states struggling with growth pressures but reluctant to regulate land use. With a perspective only a participant could provide, John W. Frece examines the incidents, issues, pressures, and personalities responsible for shaping the program as well as the challenges faced putting the ideas into practice.

Hollywood-handsome Daniel B. Brewster had it all: inherited wealth, stellar education, combat Marine, prestigious horse farm, gorgeous and talented wife, and two young sons -- even a seat in the United States Senate. He was called "the Golden Boy of Maryland Politics." In 1964, as a stand-in for Lyndon Johnson in Maryland''s Democratic Presidential Primary, Brewster defeated the segregationist George C. Wallace, a victory that was credited with clearing the way for congressional passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. But then, debilitated by alcoholism, Brewster self-destructed. He lost it all -- a breathtaking descent into divorce, electoral defeat, a bribery scandal, financial collapse, and personal shame. As a 20-year-old Marine lieutenant on Okinawa, Brewster fought in some the most savage combat of World War II. During the three-month siege, he was wounded seven times, including by one bullet that tore through his helmet. He was later decorated for valor. He returned from war bursting with ambition. He earned his law degree and quickly rose in politics: state legislature, Congress, and the Senate. He won his first 12 elections, almost always as the leading vote-getter. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer both got their start in Brewster''s Senate office. He became friends with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.But Brewster''s long marriage to Carol de Havenon collapsed after he reunited with Anne Bullitt, the ambassador''s daughter who had jilted him 24 years before. Not long after their marriage, however, Brewster''s drinking and other political missteps led to his 1968 election loss to Republican Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., a lifelong friend. After fleeing to Ireland, Brewster was hospitalized for alcoholism, only to learn that a once loyal aide had accused him of accepting bribes. It was rock bottom. But Dan Brewster had a third act. He survived his six-year legal ordeal, quit drinking, and married Judy Aarsand, whom he had met in rehab. He became a doting father to their three children. Gradually, he reclaimed his dignity, helped other recovering alcoholics, joined hospital boards, and quietly found equilibrium and happiness in a life filled with enormous highs and lows.

This unique book allows readers to compare analyses of how North American states and European nation-states use incentives, regulations or plans to approach a core set of universal land use issues such as: containing sprawl, mixed use development, transit oriented development, affordable housing, healthy urban designs, and marketing smarter growth. The concept of smart growth has gained in popularity in many countries around the world. From Europe to Asia to North America, planners, citizens, and policy makers have come to realize that patterns of urban development not only matter, but can affect the quality of life of every urban and rural resident. Comparing the approaches and results of policies in different locations is a logical way to assess policy success. While similarities and differences provide the foundation for trans-Atlantic comparisons, the contributions in this book focus on three central themes: smart growth, the role of states and nation-states, and the use of incentives, regulations and plans.Incentives, Regulations and Plans will find an audience in the United States, Canada and Europe, especially from those interested in architecture, planning, engineering, urban studies, agriculture and public policy.

This unique book allows readers to compare analyses of how North American states and European nation-states use incentives, regulations or plans to approach a core set of universal land use issues such as: containing sprawl, mixed use development, transit oriented development, affordable housing, healthy urban designs, and marketing smarter growth.

The concept of smart growth has gained in popularity in many countries around the world. From Europe to Asia to North America, planners, citizens, and policy makers have come to realize that patterns of urban development not only matter, but can affect the quality of life of every urban and rural resident. Comparing the approaches and results of policies in different locations is a logical way to assess policy success. While similarities and differences provide the foundation for trans-Atlantic comparisons, the contributions in this book focus on three central themes: smart growth, the role of states and nation-states, and the use of incentives, regulations and plans.

Incentives, Regulations and Plans will find an audience in the United States, Canada and Europe, especially from those interested in architecture, planning, engineering, urban studies, agriculture and public policy.