Smart growth

Definition

Smart growth is an urban planning and transportation theory that promotes sustainable development by emphasizing efficient land use, reduced sprawl, and the creation of vibrant, walkable communities. This approach focuses on managing urban growth in a way that balances economic development with environmental protection and improved quality of life for residents. Smart growth encourages mixed-use development, public transit options, and the preservation of open spaces to create healthier and more sustainable urban environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Smart growth principles aim to reduce dependence on automobiles by promoting public transportation and pedestrian-friendly designs.
2. This approach emphasizes the importance of mixed-use developments, allowing residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to coexist in close proximity.
3. Smart growth strategies often involve community engagement to ensure that local residents have a voice in the planning process and contribute to the vision for their neighborhoods.
4. The implementation of smart growth can lead to increased property values and economic vitality by creating desirable living conditions and accessibility.
5. Smart growth policies also prioritize green spaces and parks, which contribute to environmental sustainability and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Review Questions

• How does smart growth address the challenges of urban sprawl and its negative impacts?
  • Smart growth tackles urban sprawl by promoting compact, efficient land use that limits unnecessary expansion into rural areas. By creating dense, mixed-use developments where people can live, work, and play in close proximity, it reduces the need for cars and promotes alternative modes of transportation such as walking or biking. This not only helps conserve open space but also mitigates traffic congestion and enhances overall community health.
• In what ways does smart growth foster community engagement during the urban planning process?
  • Smart growth fosters community engagement by actively involving residents in the planning stages of development projects. This includes holding public meetings, workshops, and surveys to gather input on local needs and preferences. By prioritizing community voices, smart growth ensures that developments reflect the desires of those who live there, ultimately leading to more successful and accepted urban projects that meet the unique characteristics of each neighborhood.
• Evaluate the long-term economic impacts of implementing smart growth strategies in urban environments.
  • The long-term economic impacts of implementing smart growth strategies can be significant. By increasing walkability and enhancing public transit options, smart growth leads to higher property values as neighborhoods become more desirable. Additionally, by creating vibrant mixed-use areas that attract businesses and residents alike, these strategies stimulate local economies. Over time, smart growth can reduce infrastructure costs for cities due to more efficient land use while improving overall quality of life, making urban areas more competitive economically.

Related terms

Urban Sprawl:

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land, often leading to increased traffic congestion and environmental degradation.

Walkability: A measure of how friendly an area is to walking, including factors like safety, accessibility, and proximity to amenities.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): A planning strategy that focuses on creating dense, mixed-use communities centered around public transit stations to encourage sustainable transportation options.