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<br />And this leads again to the importance of protecting established neighborhoods. If <br />the neighborhoods in and around an MUC are healthy and attractive, both developers and <br />potential owners and tenants will be more willing to invest in the area. In contrast, if a <br />neighborhood is blighted or unstable, developers, owners, and tenants will look for a <br />more attractive environment elsewhere - in many cases, farther from the city core. <br /> <br />With major government subsidies unlikely, the market will ultimately determine <br />how potential MUCs and other core urban areas develop. The crucial role onocal <br />government is to do all it can to foster conditions that improve chances such areas will be <br />attractive markets for high-quality residential and commercial developments. <br /> <br />By nurturing our established core neighborhoods, we increase the chances that the <br />heart of Eugene can thrive as a healthy social and natural ecosystem of medium- and <br />high-density apartments; safe, walkable blocks of single-family houses; appropriately <br />scaled infill; and a variety of dynamic local businesses, aU under the canopy of a <br />flourishing urban forest. <br /> <br />Protecting neighborhoods and increasing overall density are not conflicting goals <br />that must be traded off in planning for mixed-use development and other elements of our <br />growth management efforts. They are both essential elements for success. <br /> <br />So, as the slogan says: "Grow up Eugene, so you don't grow out." But let's grow <br />up in our thinking about density, too. From now on, let's target the right locations and <br />promote thoughtful designs so we achieve compact growth wisely. <br /> <br />About the authors <br /> <br />Paul Conte is a software systems development expert who advises major businesses and <br />government agencies on effective development processes and technology. <br /> <br />Esther Foss is an architect with over twenty years experience working on single- and <br />multi-family, as well as commercial development:;. <br /> <br />Matt Purvis is Manager ofU. S.Bank's Eugene Main Branch and former General <br />Manager of Burley Design Cooperative. <br /> <br />All three authors are members of the Steering Committee for the Chambers Area <br />Familiesfor Healthy Neighborhoods (CAFHNJ, and the vie'w.points expressed here are <br />endorsed by CAFfiN To learn more about CAFfiN's infill research and <br />recommendations, visit www.cnrNeighbors.org . <br /> <br />3 <br />