Smart Growth: Information and Resources

What is smart growth?

Smart growth is an alternative to the automobile-based, low density suburban development that characterized the last half of the twentieth century. Smart growth developments are typically planned to be pedestrian friendly, with easy access to public transit. A variety of housing types and prices, a mixture of residential and retail uses, open space including parks and plazas, and preservation of environmental and historic features are usual features of smart growth developments. A recent nationwide survey suggests that Americans prefer smart growth communities over unplanned growth (sprawl).

Although smart growth developments may occur in previously undeveloped areas (greenfields), they often involve the revitalization of urban areas that have been in decline or have been underdeveloped (infill areas). Transit oriented development (TOD) is usually a feature of infill development, with a mixture of relatively dense housing and retail shops clustered near a light rail stop. Another type of smart growth development is the redesign of suburban strip malls that may be vacant or in serious decline (grayfields).

Smart growth emphasizes community input and the importance of building on an existing sense of place. While smart growth is community focused, there is an increasing recognition that true smart planning must be not just local, but regional.

Highlands Garden Village, a smart growth community in Denver

Why smart growth?

Smart growth proponents recognize that “no growth” is often unrealistic, while sprawl has detrimental consequences for communities and the environment. Among the environmental benefits of smart growth are improved air quality due to reduction in automobile use, improved water quality due to reduced runoff, and reduction in habitat destruction. Greater social equity is a benefit that comes from offering a range of housing types and prices, encouraging people of varied incomes, family types, and ages to live in close proximity to one another.

Who are smart growth’s practitioners and advocates?
Smart growth draws from a broad range of disciplines and interests, including planning, environmental science, landscape architecture, architecture, economics, public health, and community advocacy. The new urbanism, a movement with roots in architecture and design, shares many smart growth goals.

Ten Principles of Smart Growth

Resources