CenterEdge Project

Connecticut Catholic Conference

The CenterEdge Project emerged as a coalition building effort of the Connecticut Catholic Conference to tackle problems caused by Connecticut’s urban sprawl, especially the effects of sprawl on low-income communities and on water quality. The coalition is made up of religious, environmental, business, civil rights, educational, government and civic-minded organizations, as well as groups with a focus on housing and social services. One of the most important contributions of the CenterEdge project has been the publication of "Connecticut Metropatterns" (PDF), a report that outlines the patterns and impacts of sprawl in Connecticut, including a specially commissioned and funded “sprawl map” section on environmental harm as part of the larger analysis.

In addition to identifying and describing the problems of sprawl, "Connecticut Metropatterns" also recommended specific policies to guide the state into a more sustainable direction, including:

• Cooperative land-use planning to strengthen communities and preserve the environment;
• Tax and state aid reforms to stabilize fiscally distressed schools, help communities pay for needed public services and reduce competition for the tax base; and
• An enhanced role for state government, councils of government or other regional organizations to help solve regional problems while ensuring that all communities have a say in decision making.

"Connecticut Metropatterns" received statewide newspaper coverage, and the statement announcing its publication was broadcast over the television station of the Connecticut government and replayed over local cable stations.

After the report’s initial launch, the Connecticut Catholic Conference began to educate the people of Connecticut about the report, planning educational events in many of the 169 towns represented by the coalition. These “town meetings” generated publicity about the report and helped create a highly-informed citizenry -- one ready to act on specific and pro-active legislation designed to stem urban sprawl, improve water quality, and build sustainable, environmentally aware communities.

In a further step to connect communities, the CenterEdge Project has set up a website to distribute materials that explain the project and issues to others, and an on-line chat room. Both contribute to continued growth of the coalition and generate important dialogue about urban sprawl, the resulting environmental damage of uncontrolled sprawl, and the impact of both on low income populations.

These efforts over the past several years have generated a groundswell of support to overcome the environmental and social problems associated with sprawl in Connecticut. Deanery (clusters of parishes) meetings continue, and the state’s Catholic legislative network continues to grow as a result.