Local communities, ecology, and planning 297The open-space protection process was jump-started in 1959 when a ‘‘blue
line” was drawn at the 1757 m elevation contour, above which water and sewer
services would not be provided (Benfieldet al.2001). Although some of the
greenspace began as federal land, the bulk of the system was acquired by the
city. In 1967 citizens decided to tax themselves, using a sales tax, to acquire land
forprotection. Thirty years later one could walk around the city on its protected
greenbelt.
The central portion of Boulder dominated by built areas has also achieved
results of ecological and planning interest. In 1976 citizens chose to slow growth
to2%bylimiting the number of building permits issued annually. In 1995
citizens dropped that to 1 % growth, which, though strikingly different from
surrounding rapidly growing communities, equaled the national population
growthrate.Newdevelopment is mainly next to existing development, a good
cost saving. Infill housing continues, though greenspaces are valued by citizens
so opposition on a case-by-case basis limits the rate of infill. Affordable housing
is limited, as in most surrounding communities, despite an innovative array
of approaches to overcome the problem. Spring flooding problems next to the
mountains have been controlled by using the diversity and arrangement of root
and stem systems characteristic of native grassland, rather than by engineered
structures.
Commercial growth has skyrocketed. In general, job availability exceeds hous-
ing availability, so commuters arrive from surrounding communities. Significant
traffic congestion occurs, both due to commuting workers and shoppers. These
increases in commercial activity and traffic have generated some case-by-case
opposition to further commercial development. In addition to the much-used
walking/biking trails, public transport across the city is relatively widespread
and efficient.
The Boulder story offers severaluseful lessons.Residents can determine the kind
of community, rather than vice versa. The community chooses slow growth,
rather than no growth, rapid growth, or uncontrolled market growth. Open
space is used to spatially define urban land, and to create a compact built area
with sharp edges. A greenspace system with scattered parks, a greenbelt, and
greenways interconnecting the greenbelt provides connectivity across the city
for walkers,bikers, wildlife, and other species. The system also protects quite
natural nearby ecosystems, which in turn provide valuable ecosystem services
to thecommunity.
Boulder’s early focus on the open space of its edge is reminiscent of another
magical place, Frederick Law Olmsted’s emerald necklace. This was created on
the edgeofBostonandisnow near downtown, where today it provides impor-
tant habitat, aesthetics, recreation, and connectivity for species and numerous