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Smart Growth

Turning Bases Into Great Places

Cover of Turning Bases Into Great Places

New Life for Closed Military Facilities

Having a military base close or reduce operations can be traumatic for communities. The challenges may seem daunting, but many communities have transformed former bases into valuable assets. Indeed, many of these redevelopments have become showplaces for the entire community—boosting the economy, creating jobs, providing homes, and protecting the environment.

Turning Bases Into Great Places (2006) discusses how to create a vision for former installations that provides housing and transportation choices, creates a mix of jobs and housing, and makes the most of natural assets. Case studies throughout the document illustrate how bases closed in previous Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds have redeveloped using smart growth principles.

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