Growth by Consumption: Raleigh’s current development industry, regulations and government bureaucracies are largely products of its rapid growth years.  In the 1980’s and 90’s land was cheap, gas was cheap, construction was cheap, and our natural resources – clean air, clean water and natural areas - seemed abundant and unspoilable. But our economy is changing fundamentally.

Entering the 21st Century, land, gas and construction have become very expensive, and the bill for our rapid growth is coming due in the form of declining air and water quality, congested roads, long commutes, placeless strip developments, inefficient and over-extended infrastructure, and overcrowded schools. Russ believes we must change this entrenched bureaucracy of outdated development rules and clear-cutting development methods. Here's how:

Growth by Conservation: Russ has used his professional expertise in sustainable design to challenge outdated thinking, leading Raleigh away from growth by consumption and toward a more sustainable future of growth by conservation.
Here are two recent examples: