Please see the main article at http://renovatedsm.com/node/277.

In an article published on July 10, 2008, the Des Moines Register claims that "More Iowans like suburban life". The article is based on updated Census estimates for 2007. In fact, an examination of the underlying data leads me to the opposite conclusion: More Iowans actually prefer living in central cities and towns.

Here are some reasons why:

In general, renovation is "greener" than new construction. The folks over at Jetson Green have published a list of ten reason sprawl isn't green. I don't agree that all of these reasons should be placed in the "anti-green" category - some of them refer specifically to social problems more than ecological consequences of sprawl.

For whatever reason, residential and commercial growth in Des Moines' suburban areas has eclipsed that in the City. I'm not going to delve into the underlying reasons for this disparity (yes, I have my opinions). Let it suffice to say that on Earth Day in particular, it is important to take a step back and examine a couple of the ways one's choice of where to live impacts the environment.

A couple weeks ago, CityView columnist Kent Carlson wrote an article discussing his primal need to renovate. He started with a fixer-upper in Highland Park that he converted back from a four family to a single family home. He moved on to another "reducing" project behind Terrace Hill, and is now living in and renovating a former opera house outside of Des Moines. He has found creative uses for interesting architectural salvage pieces such as teller cages, old windows, and even a front porch from another house!

Many people view preparing drawings and getting permits as an unnecessary burden imposed in an authoritarian manner. Everyone involved in the construction industry has heard horror stories of overzealous inspectors that simply can't be pleased. I am asked regularly by clients to commiserate on the needless headaches inspired by the permitting and inspection process.

The Des Moines Register has published an in-depth story of River Bend neighborhood residents' fight to reduce crime.

Troubled by the high number of renters and multi-family homes in the area, Jenison said her association has lobbied for zoning changes.

"We would like to swing the balance over more toward homeowners because of the investment they make," Jenison said. "Homeowners are vested in the neighborhood."

[Read more on DesMoinesRegister.com]

People have been “planning” for millennia, but urban planning as a profession has existed for just a few centuries. Planning is based on the idea that spatial location and characteristics can influence social norms and support the public good. Zoning ordinances and comprehensive plans are a contemporary examples of planning, but at its most basic level, planning is simply a way of attempting to exert some control over the collective through rational decision making.

Architectural design in any existing neighborhood is a complex and demanding process. In low to moderate income neighborhoods, these complexities are intensified by the presence of people who often harbor a sincere and justifiable skepticism of outsiders. Low and moderate income residents (particularly renters) are rarely paying clients, yet their lives are inextricably intertwined with the outcomes of development and construction projects in their neighborhoods.

A Wordle picture of the "Renovation Timeline" introduction page.

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