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TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), in partnership with the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (NJAPA), today unveiled The Redevelopment Handbook: A Guide to Rebuilding New Jersey’s Communities, a creative new tool that encourages redevelopment throughout the state.

“For far too long, New Jersey’s municipalities have been on their own in the battle to control sprawl and grow smart for a better future,” said Governor James E. McGreevey.

“By working together, we are giving New Jerseyans a smart alternative to development while countering the devastating effects of suburban sprawl.”

The Redevelopment Handbook offers technical resources and guidance in an easy-to-understand, practical format that provides readers with the opportunity to explore the benefits of redevelopment and plan for smart growth in their communities.

Redevelopment, when implemented in a systematic, planned way, addresses a variety of land use issues in urban, suburban and rural settings, and gives municipalities more power to control the development process and achieve their visions for the future.

“Governor McGreevey and I are proud and excited to partner with NJAPA on this exciting new redevelopment learning tool,” said DCA Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. “From preserving precious open space to remediating brownfields, redevelopment makes towns more viable and attractive by rehabilitating decaying, abandoned and underutilized properties.”

“The Redevelopment Handbook reflects the overall mission of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association, which is to promote sound planning as a process essential to improving the quality of life of the citizens of New Jersey,” said NJAPA chapter president Brent Barnes. “It is our hope that this handbook will provide guidance and encouragement to municipalities throughout New Jersey that are searching for smart growth alternatives to sprawl.”

The Redevelopment Handbook was coauthored by Stan Slachetka and David Roberts.

Slachetka is Assistant Division Manager of the Planning Division of the Middletown-based firm of T&M Associates. He is a licensed professional planner in New Jersey and member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Roberts is a Principal and Vice-President with the Manalapan-based firm of Schoor DePalma Inc. He is a licensed professional planner and a certified landscape architect in New Jersey, a member of AICP, and a registered landscape architect in Pennsylvania and New York

The Redevelopment Handbook was published jointly by DCA and the New Jersey Chapter of the APA, and received additional funding from NJ Future. Copies of The Redevelopment Handbook are now available.