GEOG 329 - Smart Growth and Sustainable Development

Definition and Scope of Smart Growth

  • Smart growth is defined as a diverse range of development and conservation strategies designed to protect human health and the natural environment.

  • These strategies aim to make communities more attractive, economically stronger, and more socially diverse.

  • The concept encompasses both how land is developed and how natural resources are conserved.

Impact of Development Decisions on Residents

  • Decisions regarding development significantly influence the daily lives of individuals in various ways:   - The quality and location of their homes.   - Personal health outcomes.   - The schools attended by their children.   - The amount and distribution of taxes paid.   - The nature of their daily commute.   - The condition of the natural environment surrounding them.   - The level of economic growth within their specific community.   - Opportunities for individuals to achieve personal dreams and goals.

  • The choices made today regarding where, what, and how communities build will have lasting impacts on the lives of residents for generations to come.

Core Environmental and Resource Conservation Strategies

  • Communities across the country, regardless of size, are implementing creative strategies to ensure sustainable growth involving:   - Preservation of natural lands and critical environmental areas.   - Protection of water and air quality.   - Reuse of land that has already been developed.   - Conservation of resources through reinvestment in existing infrastructure.   - Rehabilitation of historic buildings to preserve cultural and structural history.

Neighborhood Design and Transportation Accessibility

  • Smart growth emphasizes designing neighborhoods where homes are in close proximity to essential destinations, including:   - Shops and retail centers.   - Offices and workplaces.   - Schools and educational facilities.   - Houses of worship.   - Parks and recreational amenities.

  • This proximity provides residents and visitors with a variety of transportation options beyond the automobile, including:   - Walking.   - Bicycling.   - Taking public transportation.   - Driving.

Social Diversity and Housing Opportunities

  • Smart growth advocates for a broad range of different housing types within a single neighborhood.

  • This diversity in housing makes it possible for various demographics to remain or settle in the community:   - Senior citizens are able to stay in their established neighborhoods as they age (aging in place).   - Young people are provided with the means to afford their first home.   - Families at all stages of life can find safe, attractive, and affordable housing options.

Economic Competitiveness and Quality of Life

  • Smart growth approaches focus on enhancing neighborhoods and involving residents directly in development decisions.

  • This involvement helps create vibrant places to live, work, and play.

  • The resulting high quality of life contributes to the community's economic health by:   - Making the community more economically competitive.   - Creating new business opportunities.   - Strengthening the local tax base.

The 10 Basic Principles of Smart Growth

Based on community experiences nationwide, the Smart Growth Network (with information sourced from the US Environmental Protection Agency) developed a set of 10 guiding principles:

  • Mix land uses: Integrating different types of buildings (residential, commercial, etc.) within the same area.

  • Take advantage of compact building design: Utilizing land and resources more efficiently by building vertically or closer together.

  • Create a range of housing opportunities and choices: Providing options for different income levels and household sizes.

  • Create walkable neighborhoods: Designing areas where pedestrians can safely and easily reach their destinations.

  • Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place: Encouraging unique architecture and community identity.

  • Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas: Protecting ecological resources and agricultural land from urban sprawl.

  • Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities: Focusing on infill development and utilizing existing infrastructure rather than expanding into undeveloped land.

  • Provide a variety of transportation choices: Offering multiple modes of transit to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.

  • Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective: Ensuring that the development process is transparent and economically viable for stakeholders.

  • Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions: Involving residents and interested parties in the planning and decision-making process to ensure outcomes meet community needs.