The Effects of State Smart Growth Management and Local Contexts on Local Open Space Preservation

This study explores the effects of state smart growth management and local contextual factors—in particular, aspects of hierarchical governance and the political market framework—on local open space preservation. It takes into account state intervention in local affairs, including state requirements for local planning practices in general and for open space preservation in particular. It also tests local contextual factors such as political and informal institutions, interest groups, and community and physical characteristics, using hierarchical linear modeling. The findings suggest that counties are more likely to preserve open space when the state government strongly intervenes in local planning practices. The county manager form of government and high population density are negatively associated with open space preservation, while high demands for growth control and the presence of active environmental interest groups are positively associated with it.