Pulitzer Prize Journalist Thomas Hylton spoke at the Macungie Institute recently about smart growth in communities.

Hylton described how towns were originally built with houses close together, stores within walking distance, doctor's offices, libraries and other community services all within the same area. The 1800s led to trolleys, trains and bikes making the travel time less. These methods were the way to get around until the 1940s when the automobile became the transportation of choice.

Driving an automobile caused new needs. Space for driving became an issue. Shopping centers were developed out of the towns and people began moving away from the towns and cities. Roads became wider than needed which further added to urban sprawl.

Hylton said Milton Hershey wanted to build an ideal community. Hershey was built with everything within walking distance.

Lexington, Ky. was one of the first communities to use the Smart Growth concept in their planning. Everything was within walking distance.

Boulder, Colo., which is around the size of Scranton, has a "green belt" around it. Retail shops stay downtown due to this "boundary."

The Netherlands is a well planned country where residents use bikes for transportation and the elderly use scooters.

Pottstown is another community that corrected its urban sprawl. Residents walk and ride bikes.

Freeport, Maine, a tiny little town, is known for being the home of L.L. Bean. It also has a McDonald's in a farmhouse. Businesses use empty houses and parking is done in a way to promote planting of trees.

Hylton said trees are the best form of stormwater management saying parking lots are ugly with the idea of all asphalt and no greenery. Trees are planted for every two parking spots.

Wyomissing and State College have the best tree program in Pennsylvania, Hylton said. Wyomissing has a $200,000 tree budget and State College has a $400,000 tree budget. Sidewalks should not be cement. Asphalt is better as there are no seams. Sidewalks made of asphalt do not require replacement as much. Smart Growth development was apparent in 10 communities in 1995. Presently there are 100's. Lower Macungie Township officials were invited to the presentation but did not attend. Anne Bartholomew was the only Planning Commission member present.