What is Smart Growth?

Smart growth is well- planned development that protects open space, revitalizes communities, keeps housing affordable and provides more transportation options.

What Smart Growth Is and Is Not

More transportation choices and less traffic

Not against cars and roads

Vibrant cities, suburbs, and towns

Not anti-suburban

Wider variety of housing choices

Not about telling people where or how to live

Well-planned growth that improves quality of life

Not against growth

Sprawl

Dispersed auto-dependent development outside of compact urban centers along highways and in rural countryside

Lack of public space More traffic Auto dependence Longer commutes Environmental Pollution Energy Wasted Public Health Concerns

113 Million Americans Live in Cities with Polluted Air

0102030405060708090

1 2 3 4

White

AfricanAmericanLatino

Percent of Population

Number of Air Quality Standards Exceeded

SPRAWL

SMARTGROWTH

Sprawl Results in Urban Disinvestment

Loss of city residents to suburbs

Decline in business investment and tax revenues

White flight Poverty concentration Increased socio-economic

inequities Repetitive one story

development Commercial buildings

surrounded by parking lots

What’s Wrong with Wal-Mart?

Traffic congestion Loss of trees and open space Displaced small businesses Low-paying jobs Air & water pollution Dying downtowns Abandoned shopping centers Degrades sense of

community Sprawl

Housing

More choicesAffordabilityAccessibilityEnforce anti-discrimination lawsInclusionary zoning

Walkable Communities

Mixed land use Better community

designs Prevents:

– Air pollution– Asthma– Obesity– Unsafe Traffic– Being a stranger!

Community Participation

Build coalitions that include the entire community

– Businesses– Schools– Community Based Organizations– Social Advocacy Groups– Environmental Organizations– Elected Officials– Youth– Voter Education

Schools as an Anchor of the Community

Symbol of neighborhood stability

Attract families to area Bring neighbors together

– PTA meetings– Soccer games– School plays– Volunteering in schools– Education/Recreation

Foster distinctive, attractive places with a strong sense of place

For every suburban big box and urban freeway, there lies an empty main street and a crumbling neighborhood. This is sprawl’s legacy.

Fair and Cost-effective Development Strategies

Smart, efficient decisions Revitalization of

depressed areas Reuse of aging buildings Redevelopment of dying

strip centers Development of

abandoned and vacant properties

Mixed Land Uses

Closer to services Pedestrian and Bicycle

friendly spaces Better use of space Convenient for residents Convenient for workers Convenient for visitors Convenient for families

Different Types of Land Use (Zoning)

Residential Manufacturing/Industrial Commercial Zoning for:

– Community Facilities– Open Space/Parks– Parking – Special Districts– Street Activity

Preserve Open Space and Create Parks

Creates parks Preserves open space Animal and Plant habitat

protection Farm and Ranch

preservation Improved quality of life More recreational space

A Wide Range of Transportation Options

Transportation as the backbone

More affordable More accessible Healthier and safer

alternatives

Build the Community from the Inside Out

Historic architecture Scenic vistas Preservation based

revitalization Listen to the community Maximize existing

resources and infrastructure

Support local businesses

Brownfield Redevelopment

100,000-500,0000 sites exist in the US

– environmentally assess existing properties

– prevent further contamination

– safely clean up polluted properties

– design plans to re-use them

Advantages of compact building design

Greater preservation of space

More efficient use of land and resources

Greater open space Greater access to

services Wider transportation

options

Why Does Smart Growth Work Better?

Encourages greater participation in community planning and civic life

Succeeds economically and attracts businesses and a skilled workforce

Creates more choices in transportation, affordable housing, and jobs for all residents

Consumes less land and water, causes less pollution, and preserves farms and wildlife habitats

Environment

Economy

Equity

Engagement