The term “greenway” is often used to describe linear parks developed around trails or bike and pedestrian paths. But the Hudson River Greenway Compact, a voluntary association of governments established around specific planning and preservation principles, has enlarged the rubric. The principles it espouses encompass a variety of transportation connections and regional planning and economic initiatives that promote conservation and quality of life.Municipal participation in the compact permits access to special state planning and environmental conservation grants.

The “Greenway Connections” guidebook is refreshing on a number of levels.It does not beat around the bush about the impacts of strip-type development on community quality, labeling standard commercial strip highways “ugly” and showing a variety of planning and development methods for transforming them.It is very clear on the need to preserve open space, farmland and waterfront access, and to develop alternatives to driving.The guide states that “There is no better indicator of investment potential than the local quality of life,” and goes on to examine the economics of sprawl, including its high transportation costs.

The guide will be valuable to communities outside the Hudson Valley.Its chapters on open space preservation, strengthening centers, site plans and circulation have broad application in suburbs and formerly rural areas throughout the metropolitan region.Its planning guidelines for “zipping up the strip” ¾ developing attractive, pedestrian-friendly commercial boulevards out of bad strip development ¾ are immediately applicable to debates over traffic congestion on Routes 110 and 347 in Suffolk County, for instance.

Suburban smart growth advocates and transportation reformers should use the guidebook to promote their ideas to local officials and the public.Dutchess County planning: www.dutchessny.gov, 845-486-3600.Hudson River Valley Greenway, 518-473-3835, www.hudsongreenway.state.ny.us/