South Greensboro Area Plan - Public Review Draft - 9.25.25

and other key areas. This is even more true with redevelopment, which has a two-fold environmental benefit: 1) it replaces already built-upon land with higher and better uses (doing more with less), and 2) it reduces the demand for suburban sprawl at the edge of the city. Two key factors add to the benefits of redevelopment and infill development. First, automobile trips can be reduced or eliminated because destinations are closer together. This decreases pollution and the need to widen roadways (which have their own environmental impacts). Second, redevelopment can mean reusing old buildings, which can reduce waste and capture the embodied energy that has already been used to create the original structure. The point is this: considering the natural environment, as well as expanding access to parks and open spaces, is consistent with emerging smart development and redevelopment best practices. A healthy, growing, and sustainable city must have both a healthy natural environment and equitable access to parks and green spaces.

Draft

Buffalo Creek. (Source: Bolton & Menk)

Parks can connect people to the natural environment and provide ecological functions. (Source: Adobe Stock)

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ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN SPACE

PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT - 9/25/25