By Kyra Morris, contributing editor  | Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LRT), a proposed dedicated bus system between Summerville and Charleston, should not be just a metro system for transportation.  It should also be the focal point for comprehensive community redevelopment, especially for stations along Rivers Avenue in North Charleston.

Now is the time for the planning and fund-raising.   All of the benefits and barriers should be considered.  We need to seize this opportunity for all of the Tri-county community and create neighborhoods where there are green spaces, safe areas for pedestrians and cyclists, creative mixed use environments for housing and businesses, and social networking centers.

A lot of research has been done showing that improving the environment often provides the nudge for individuals to lead healthier more productive lives.  A lot of research also has been done showing that the Charleston area needs to mitigate sprawl and develop blueprints that show desirable urban in-fill.