The Mysteries of Smart Growth Explained

Smart Growth Goals & Objectives

Smart growth is growth that serves the environment, the economy, and the community equally. Smart growth attempts to concentrate development into already-existing communities when possible. Smart growth addresses the inherent interconnections between environmental protection, social equity, public health, and economic sustainability.

Smart Growth has three primary broad goals:

To save natural resources, preserve historic and culturally important places, and conserve open space and environmentally sensitive areas.
To support existing communities and neighborhoods by targeting resources to support development in areas where the infrastructure is already in place
To save taxpayers money in costs for building the infrastructure required to support sprawl.

The concept of Smart Growth embodies ten objectives, based on the three broad goals mentioned above. These ten objectives are modified from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Mix land uses;
Utilize existing community assets;
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices;
Create walkable, compact neighborhoods;
Promote distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place;
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas;
Strengthen and encourage growth in existing communities;
Provide a variety of transportation choices;
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective; and
Encourage citizen and stakeholder participation in development decisions