Smart Growth
What is Smart Growth?
Smart Growth is a comprehensive approach to land use and community planning that seeks to manage urban and suburban development in a way that supports economic vitality, environmental quality, and social equity. It emerged as a direct response to the challenges posed by urban sprawl, which often leads to increased traffic congestion, loss of open space, higher infrastructure costs, and a decline in community cohesion. Instead of allowing development to spread outwards indiscriminately, Smart Growth advocates for concentrating growth in existing urban and suburban centers.
The core idea behind Smart Growth is to create communities that offer a high quality of life for residents while minimizing environmental impact. This is achieved through a set of guiding principles that prioritize efficient land use, diverse transportation options, a mix of housing types, and the preservation of natural and cultural resources. It’s about building better, not just bigger, and ensuring that new development contributes positively to the existing fabric of a place.
History and Evolution
The concept of Smart Growth gained prominence in the United States in the 1990s, driven by growing concerns over the environmental and social costs of unchecked suburbanization. Planners, environmentalists, and community advocates began to articulate alternatives to traditional low-density, automobile-dependent development patterns. Organizations like Smart Growth America were formed to champion these principles and provide resources for communities looking to adopt more sustainable growth strategies.
Its roots can be traced back to earlier movements such as New Urbanism, which emphasized walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with a strong sense of place, and environmental conservation efforts that sought to protect natural habitats and agricultural lands. Over time, Smart Growth has evolved to incorporate broader considerations, including social equity, affordable housing, and climate resilience, making it a dynamic and adaptable framework for modern community development. It is closely related to concepts like Sustainable Urban Development and Regional Planning.
Purpose and Importance
The primary purpose of Smart Growth is to create communities that are more livable, economically robust, and environmentally sound. For residents, this translates into neighborhoods where daily errands can be accomplished on foot or by bike, where public transit is a viable option, and where a variety of housing choices are available. It aims to foster a stronger sense of community by encouraging public spaces and mixed-use areas that bring people together.
From an environmental perspective, Smart Growth helps reduce carbon emissions by decreasing reliance on cars, protects sensitive ecosystems by directing development to already disturbed areas (like Brownfield Redevelopment or Infill Development), and preserves valuable agricultural land and open spaces. Economically, it can lead to more efficient use of existing infrastructure, reduce the need for costly new roads and utilities, and support local businesses by creating vibrant commercial centers. It also plays a crucial role in managing Growth Management challenges faced by rapidly expanding regions.
Smart Growth is important because it offers a proactive strategy for addressing many of the complex challenges facing communities today, from climate change and resource depletion to housing affordability and social isolation. By integrating land use, transportation, and environmental planning, it provides a holistic framework for building resilient and thriving places that benefit everyone. It stands in contrast to Sprawl, which often results in disconnected communities and increased environmental impact.
How It Works
Smart Growth operates through the implementation of a set of interconnected principles that guide planning and development decisions. These principles are not rigid rules but rather flexible guidelines that communities adapt to their specific contexts and goals. The overarching aim is to create a more integrated and efficient urban fabric.
Core Principles of Smart Growth
At its heart, Smart Growth is defined by ten fundamental principles that work in concert to achieve its objectives. These principles often inform a community's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning regulations.
| Principle | Description & Impact |
|---|---|
| Mixed Land Uses | Integrating residential, commercial, and civic uses within close proximity. This reduces travel distances, supports local businesses, and creates vibrant neighborhoods. |
| Compact Building Design | Making efficient use of land by building more compactly. This preserves open space, reduces infrastructure costs, and fosters walkability. |
| Walkable Communities | Designing neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Encourages physical activity, reduces car dependence, and enhances social interaction. |
| Diverse Housing Opportunities | Offering a range of housing types, sizes, and price points. Promotes affordability and allows people of different incomes and life stages to live in the same community. |
| Distinctive, Attractive Communities | Creating places with a strong sense of identity and appealing public spaces. Enhances civic pride and quality of life through good urban design and Historic Preservation. |
| Preserve Open Space | Protecting natural areas, farmland, critical environmental areas, and culturally significant sites. Provides recreational opportunities, ecological benefits, and maintains community character. |
| Variety of Transportation Choices | Providing alternatives to driving, including public transit, cycling, and walking infrastructure. Reduces traffic congestion, improves air quality, and offers mobility options for all. This is central to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). |
| Direct Development Towards Existing Communities | Focusing new growth in areas with existing infrastructure. Reduces the cost of new infrastructure, revitalizes urban centers, and minimizes Greenfield Development. |
| Community Engagement | Fostering collaboration between citizens, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Ensures that development reflects community needs and values, often through Public Hearing processes. |
| Predictable, Fair, Cost-Effective Decisions | Streamlining the development review process with clear regulations. Encourages investment and reduces uncertainty for developers and residents. |
Implementation Process
Implementing Smart Growth involves a multi-faceted approach, often led by local government planning departments in conjunction with community groups and private developers.
- Visioning and Planning: Communities begin by developing a shared vision for their future, often articulated in a General Plan or Master Plan. This involves extensive Community Engagement to identify priorities for Land Use, housing, transportation, and environmental protection.
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Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: This vision is then translated into policies and regulations. Key tools include:
- Zoning Reforms: Moving away from traditional Euclidean zoning (which separates uses) towards more flexible approaches like Mixed Use Development zoning, Form-Based Code, or Incentive Zoning to encourage desired development patterns.
- Infrastructure Investment: Prioritizing investments in public transit, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and upgrading existing utilities rather than extending new ones into undeveloped areas.
- Affordable Housing Initiatives: Implementing policies like Inclusionary Zoning or providing incentives for developers to build diverse housing types.
- Development and Redevelopment: Smart Growth encourages Infill Development, which means building on vacant or underutilized parcels within existing urban areas, and Brownfield Redevelopment, which involves cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated sites. Planned Unit Development (PUD) can also be used to achieve integrated, mixed-use projects.
- Monitoring and Adaptation: Continuous monitoring of development patterns and community impacts is essential. This allows communities to adapt their strategies and policies to ensure they are meeting their Smart Growth objectives. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are often part of this process.
(A diagram illustrating the cyclical process from visioning to implementation and monitoring would be beneficial here.)
Key Concepts
Mixed-Use Development
Mixed-use development integrates residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, either vertically within a single building or horizontally across a district. This approach reduces the need for extensive travel, fosters vibrant street life, and makes daily necessities and services easily accessible to residents, enhancing walkability and community interaction.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
TOD is a planning strategy that concentrates dense, mixed-use development around public transportation hubs, such as train stations or bus stops. By placing homes, shops, and offices within walking distance of transit, TOD aims to increase transit ridership, reduce automobile dependence, and create compact, walkable communities that are well-connected to regional networks.
Infill Development
Infill development refers to the process of developing vacant or underutilized parcels within existing urban or suburban areas that are already served by infrastructure. This approach helps to revitalize established neighborhoods, make efficient use of existing public services, and reduce pressure on undeveloped Greenfield Development sites, contributing to compact growth.
New Urbanism
New Urbanism is an urban design movement that promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, mixed-use communities. It emphasizes traditional neighborhood design principles, such as human-scaled buildings, interconnected street networks, and prominent public spaces, aiming to foster a strong sense of community and reduce reliance on automobiles.
Form-Based Code
Form-Based Code is a land development regulation that focuses on the physical form of buildings and public spaces, rather than primarily on land use. It specifies design elements like building height, setback, and architectural style to create a desired urban character and ensure new development integrates harmoniously with existing community aesthetics, promoting predictable outcomes.
Community Engagement
Community engagement in planning involves actively involving residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in the decision-making processes that shape their neighborhoods and cities. This ensures that development plans reflect local needs, values, and aspirations, fostering transparency, building consensus, and leading to more equitable and widely supported outcomes.
Open Space Preservation
Open space preservation involves protecting natural areas, parks, agricultural lands, and undeveloped green spaces from development. This is a critical component of Smart Growth, providing ecological benefits such as habitat protection and stormwater management, offering recreational opportunities, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal and quality of life within communities.
Zoning (Planning)
Zoning is a method of urban planning by which a municipality or other tier of government divides land into areas called zones, each of which has a set of regulations for new development that differs from other zones. In Smart Growth, zoning is often reformed to encourage mixed-use, higher density, and pedestrian-friendly development, moving away from exclusionary practices.
Practical Considerations
Advantages of Smart Growth
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Residents often enjoy greater walkability, access to diverse amenities, and a stronger sense of community due to mixed-use development and public spaces.
- Environmental Benefits: Reduces vehicle miles traveled, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality. It also protects natural habitats, farmland, and open spaces from development.
- Economic Efficiency: Makes more efficient use of existing infrastructure (roads, water, sewer), reducing the need for costly new extensions. It can also boost local economies by supporting walkable commercial districts.
- Diverse Housing Options: Promotes a variety of housing types and price points, making communities more accessible to people of different incomes and life stages.
- Reduced Traffic Congestion: By offering multiple transportation choices and reducing travel distances, Smart Growth can alleviate traffic and commuting times.
- Revitalization of Existing Areas: Focuses development on Infill Development and Brownfield Redevelopment, breathing new life into older neighborhoods and urban centers.
Limitations and Challenges
- Potential for Gentrification: Increased desirability and property values in Smart Growth areas can sometimes displace lower-income residents if not accompanied by strong affordable housing policies.
- Resistance to Density: Some communities and residents may resist higher-density development, fearing increased traffic, loss of neighborhood character, or strain on local services.
- Initial Costs: Retrofitting existing suburban areas or investing in new public transit infrastructure can require significant upfront capital.
- Complexity of Implementation: Requires coordination across multiple government agencies, private developers, and community groups, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
- Political Hurdles: Overcoming entrenched zoning regulations, local opposition, and differing political priorities can be a significant barrier to adoption.
Common Mistakes in Smart Growth Implementation
- Lack of Genuine Community Engagement: Failing to involve residents early and meaningfully can lead to distrust, opposition, and plans that don't meet local needs.
- Insufficient Infrastructure Planning: Developing new areas without adequately planning for and investing in supporting infrastructure (e.g., schools, utilities, transit capacity) can lead to new problems.
- Ignoring Affordability: Focusing solely on market-rate development in desirable areas without specific Inclusionary Zoning or other affordable housing strategies can exacerbate housing crises.
- Poor Design Execution: Even with good principles, poorly designed buildings or public spaces can fail to create the intended vibrant, attractive environment.
- Overly Rigid Regulations: While codes are necessary, overly prescriptive or inflexible regulations can stifle innovation and make development economically unfeasible.
Best Practices for Successful Smart Growth
- Early and Inclusive Public Participation: Engage a broad spectrum of the community from the outset to build consensus and ensure plans reflect diverse needs.
- Integrated Planning: Coordinate land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental planning efforts. A Comprehensive Plan is key.
- Flexible and Context-Sensitive Zoning: Utilize tools like Form-Based Code or performance zoning that allow for creativity while maintaining desired community character.
- Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Prioritize investments that support Smart Growth goals, such as public transit extensions and upgrades to existing utilities.
- Incentivize Desired Development: Use tools like Incentive Zoning, tax abatements, or Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to encourage developers to build according to Smart Growth principles.
- Focus on Green Infrastructure: Integrate natural systems (e.g., parks, green roofs, permeable surfaces) for stormwater management, recreation, and ecological benefits.
- Adaptive Reuse: Encourage the repurposing of existing buildings rather than demolition and new construction, preserving history and reducing waste.
Real-world Examples
Many cities and regions globally have adopted Smart Growth principles to varying degrees. Portland, Oregon, is often cited for its urban growth boundary, strong public transit system, and walkable neighborhoods. Arlington, Virginia, has successfully implemented Transit-Oriented Development along its Metrorail corridors, transforming suburban areas into vibrant, mixed-use communities. European cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam have long embodied many Smart Growth ideals through their extensive cycling infrastructure, compact development, and emphasis on public spaces. These examples demonstrate how focused planning can lead to more sustainable and enjoyable living environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the main goal of Smart Growth?
The main goal is to create more livable, economically vibrant, and environmentally sustainable communities by guiding development towards existing urban areas and away from undeveloped natural landscapes. -
How does Smart Growth affect my home's value?
Homes in Smart Growth communities often benefit from increased desirability due to walkability, access to amenities, and a strong sense of place, which can positively impact property values over time. -
Is Smart Growth only for cities?
No, while often applied in urban contexts, Smart Growth principles can be adapted for suburban and even rural areas to manage growth, preserve open space, and create more focused community centers. -
What is "mixed-use development"?
Mixed-use development combines different functions like residential, commercial, and sometimes civic spaces within the same building or area, reducing travel needs and fostering vibrant street life. -
Does Smart Growth mean more apartments and less single-family homes?
Smart Growth promotes a diversity of housing types, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, to accommodate various needs and incomes. It encourages compact design, which may include more multi-family options in certain areas. -
How can I get involved in Smart Growth in my community?
You can participate in local planning meetings, join community groups focused on urban development or environmental issues, or contact your local planning department to learn about ongoing initiatives and public input opportunities.
Explore Related Topics
References & Further Reading
- Smart Growth America: smartgrowthamerica.org
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart Growth Program: epa.gov/smartgrowth
- American Planning Association (APA): planning.org
- Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU): cnu.org
- Duany, A., Plater-Zyberk, E., & Speck, J. (2000). Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. North Point Press.
- Calthorpe, P. (1993). The Next American Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the American Dream. Princeton Architectural Press.