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Fact Sheet 3.3Smart Growth Principles

There are many tools available to help commu-nities develop in ways that foster economicgrowth, improve quality of life, and utilize nat-ural resources wisely while protecting commu-nity heritage and character. These strategiesmay be used to make urban areas more appeal-ing, thus reducing development pressures onwildlands. One such approach is called SmartGrowth. When development does occur in thewildland-urban interface, Smart Growth mayhelp make it more sustainable.

Smart Growth promotes walkable communities and aims toenhance a sense of place.

Smart Growth is becoming an increasingly pop-ular approach to community development. In anational survey conducted in 2000, 78 percentof respondents favored Smart Growth when itwas defined as “giving priority to improvingservices, such as schools, roads, affordablehousing, and public transportation in existingcommunities, rather than encouraging newhousing and commercial development in thecountryside” (Smart Growth America 2000).Natural resource professionals need to befamiliar with Smart Growth principles andinclude them in a suite of land-use tools that

they can offer to decision makers and stake-holders. Smart Growth can be implementedusing comprehensive planning and land-useregulations to guide, design, develop, revitalize,and build communities that

• preserve and enhance valuable natural andcultural resources;

• have a unique sense of community andplace;

• equitably distribute the costs and benefitsof development;

• expand choices for transportation,employment, and housing in a fiscallyresponsible manner;

• value long-range, regional considerationsof sustainability over short-term incre-mental development decisions; and

• promote public health and healthy com-munities.

Guiding Principles of Smart GrowthInclude:

1. Recognition that all levels of government and theprivate sectors play an important role in creatingand implementing policies that support SmartGrowth.

Every level of government—federal, state,regional, local, neighborhood—should exam-ine its policies and practices and replacethose that have contributed to urban sprawlwith those that foster Smart Growth.

Adapted From The Florida Planning Officials Handbook. Boles, G. 2005. University of Florida, Urban and Regional Planning Department,Gainesville, FL.

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Fact Sheet 3.3

2. Conservation and enhancement of environmen-tal and cultural resources.

Smart Growth protects the natural processesthat sustain life; preserves agricultural land,wildlife habitat, natural landmarks, and cul-tural resources; and integrates biodiversity,ecological systems, and natural greenspace(green infrastructure) into development. Itpromotes innovative storm-water manage-ment, maintains or enhances natural air andwater quality, and fosters resource conserva-tion. Green architecture uses design and con-struction practices and materials that con-sume fewer natural resources, use renewableresources, and improve the comfort andhealth of the occupants.

3. Central city vitality.

Every level of government should identifyways to reinvest in existing urban centers, tore-use former commercial or industrial sites,redevelop older buildings, and bring newdevelopment to older, low-income, and dis-advantaged neighborhoods.

4. Efficient use of land and infrastructure.

High-density development, infill develop-ment, and redevelopment of abandoned ordegraded buildings result in more compacturban areas and more efficient land use.Efficient use of public and private infrastruc-ture begins with developing neighborhoodsthat maximize the use of existing infrastruc-ture. In areas of new growth, roads, schools,sewers, water lines, and other infrastructureshould be planned as part of comprehensivegrowth and investment strategies. Regionalcollaboration for large infrastructure invest-ments helps prevent inefficiency and redun-dancy.

5. Vital small towns and rural areas.

Urban sprawl can also occur around villagesand small towns. Programs and policies needto encourage investment to improve the

economic health of small town downtownsand rural community centers. Compactdevelopment and efficient use of existinginfrastructure can help rural communities getthe most out of expensive basic infrastructureand services.

6. More housing choices and mixed-use centersaccessible by multiple transportation modes.

Mixed-use developments include qualityhousing, varied by type and price, integratedwith shopping, schools, community facilities,and jobs. Human-scale design and qualityconstruction foster privacy, safety, aesthetics,and compatibility among uses and users.Land-use and transportation planning shouldaccommodate the automobile while also pro-viding opportunities for mass transit, bicy-cles, and walking.

Providing safe conditions for cyclists and pedestrians encour-ages alternative transportation use.

7. A regional view of community.

Smart Growth promotes balanced, integratedregional development achieved throughregional planning processes.

8. Creation or preservation of a “sense of place.”

Design and development can help promote asense of place by incorporating the distinc-tive characteristics of a community and the

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Fact Sheet 3.3

particular place in which it is located. Naturalfeatures, climate, culture, geography, histori-cal landmarks, and ecology each contribute tothe unique character of a community.

9. Planning that promotes diversity, equity, andSmart Growth principles while encouraging par-ticipation of residents in all aspects of the plan-ning process and at every level of government.

All planning processes, as well as the distri-bution of resources, must be equitable. Adiversity of voices must be incorporated intocommunity planning and implementationdecisions. Citizen participation ensures thatplanning outcomes are based on a variety ofneeds and objectives and result from collec-tive decision making.

10. One size doesn’t fit all—a wide variety ofapproaches can accomplish Smart Growth.

Every state and region is shaped by a uniqueblend of customs, politics, laws, natural con-ditions, and other factors. Each must developits own approach to plan for growth and solveproblems while encouraging meaningfulinvolvement from public, private, and non-profit sectors.

References

Smart Growth America, “Americans WantGrowth and Green; Demand Solutions toTraffic, Haphazard Development,” news release,October 16, 2000.