Land use,
buildings, and materials
A national leader in controlling sprawl and planning for the
future effects of global warming, King County has prepared
comprehensive land use plans (required under the state Growth
Management Act) that anticipate the pressures of our region's
projected long-term growth. King County and its cities
coordinate planning within an established urban growth area - a
"wall against sprawl" - while providing roads, parks and other
services. This comprehensive approach to planning helps foster
walkable communities while protecting rural areas from
development. This helps reduce pollution that is at the root of
the global warming phenomenon.
Transfer of development rights
 King
County‘s Transfer of
Development Rights (TDR) Program, encourages landowners to
voluntarily direct development to urban areas, thereby
protecting rural areas; a climate-friendly investment for the
future.
Healthscape: putting it all to together
King County commissioned a report -- "Land Use,
Transportation, Air Quality and Health" -- on the effect of
development on walkability, traffic congestion, air quality and
individual health needs of our citizens. The study has since
told us that walkable communities with robust public transit
have better air quality and emit less greenhouse gases. Now
forming the basis of
King County's
HealthScape program, this comprehensive approach helps build
healthier "walkable" communities, reduce congestion, and clean
the air, all of which improve the county's effectiveness in
dealing with global warming.
Executive Order on the Evaluation of Climate Change Impacts
through the State Environmental Policy Act
King County is the first local government in the country to
add greenhouse gas emissions reporting officially to the
environmental review of construction projects. Learn more at the
King County DDES website on climate change.
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