SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES
What is Smart Growth?
Where and how we grow affects our community and our natural resources. The concept of Smart Growth helps to guide development in communities in a sustainable fashion by implementing sound land use principles, which concentrates physical growth in designated development centers. Smart Growth can protect open space and important environmental areas, conserve resources, promote alternative transportation, protect air and water quality, enhance existing neighborhoods, benefit the local economy and improve public health.
Ten Smart Growth Principles
Mix land uses
Take advantage of compact building design
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
Create walkable neighborhoods
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
Provide a variety of transportation choices
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
From Smartgrowth.org