Smart Growth Network E-Newsletter

This was the official website for the e-newsletter of Smart Growth until 2013. When their current website was built this site's domain registration was allowed to expire. Recently I discovered that the domain for smartgrowthonline.org was available, so I bought it with the goal of recreating some of its content from archived pages and to point visitors to their new site: www.smartgrowth.org. I definitely didn't want someone else purchasing the domain and re-purposing it for something that had nothing in common with smart growth strategies and guiding principles.

As a progressive maritime attorney I am a strong advocate of the smart growth principles. Whenever I go on business trips or vacation I look around me to see if the community I am in has chosen smart growth strategies. On a trip to the Hawaiian island of Maui, we chose to rent a condo in one of the many resorts on the western coast of this gorgeous tropical island. We did a lot of the "tourist" activities including traveling to the top of the Haleakala Crater to see the sun rise. We also did a lot of driving, visiting various areas of the island. It is impressive what Maui in general, and the various resorts have done to get the most out of their developments and to maximize their investments. I'm one of a group of maritime lawyers in Louisiana with a practice based in New Orleans, vacationing here but looking for a smart way to invest in the future. My partners think that Maui offers many of the attributes we look for in location opportunities. New Orleans and our practice of maritime law is such a far cry from this place, but there may be a future in both for us. They obviously are protecting their beautiful natural environment which draws many tourists to the island while at the same time promoting tourism, preserving the best of their past and creating a bright future for generations to come. So what's the smart growth business move? We're thinking about it.

The Smart Growth Network may have a more updated website, but their message remains the same.

GET BIWEEKLY SMART GROWTH NEWS SUMMARIES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.

SGN E-Newsletter

The Smart Growth Network has been providing U.S. and international news summaries of smart growth activity since 1997.

State by State News Headlines will be sent to you biweekly including news summaries from around the country, information on the latest print, web, audio, and visual resources, and smart growth events

About

In 1996, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency joined with several non-profit and government organizations to form the Smart Growth Network (SGN). The Network was formed in response to increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow that boost the economy, protect the environment, and enhance community vitality. The Network's partners include environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional organizations, developers, real estate interests; local and state government entities. See a full listing and description of the more than 40 organizations that constitute the Smart Growth Network

MISSION

The SGN works to encourage development that serves the economy, community and the environment. It is a forum for:

Raising public awareness of how growth can improve community quality of life;
Promoting smart growth best practices;
Developing and sharing information, innovative policies, tools and ideas;
Cultivating strategies to address barriers to and advance opportunities for smart growth.

COLLABORATION

Since its inception, the Smart Growth Network has become a forum for bringing together different constituencies to share their diverse ideas and finding opportunities for smart growth. Several collaborations have evolved:

Development of Policy Options for Smart Growth and Affordability
A task force of 15 organizations, representing SGN, housing, and community development organizations, collaborating to demonstrate how smart growth achieves affordable housing goals.

Partners for Smart Growth Conference
An annual conference focused on smart growth policy and implementation, featuring projects and best practices from across the country.

Redevelopment Roundtable
The Urban Land Institute, with the close cooperation of the National Neighborhood Coalition, hosted a forum focused on helping developers and public officials engage communities to create "win-win" redevelopment decisions.

More Background On SmartGrowthOnline.org

Understanding Smart Growth: A Pathway to Sustainable Communities

Smart growth has emerged as a transformative urban planning philosophy aimed at addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization, suburban sprawl, and environmental degradation. By emphasizing thoughtful development strategies, smart growth seeks to create vibrant, livable, and resilient communities. While its principles are widely adopted across the globe, its true essence lies in the diverse ways it manifests, the communities it impacts, and the cultural and social legacies it leaves behind.

The Rise of Smart Growth: A Historical Perspective

In the late 20th century, America faced a dilemma: sprawling suburbs consumed vast tracts of land, weakened urban centers, and generated ecological concerns like pollution and habitat loss. This spurred policymakers, urban planners, and community activists to rethink traditional development paradigms. By the 1990s, “smart growth” had crystallized as a counter-movement, emphasizing compact, community-focused development over unchecked suburban expansion.

Key drivers behind the movement included environmental concerns, economic inefficiencies of sprawl, and a growing public demand for walkable, diverse neighborhoods. Organizations such as the American Planning Association and local governments began experimenting with policies to curb sprawl and reinvigorate urban cores.

Principles That Shape Smart Growth

At its heart, smart growth operates on ten core principles. These values ensure that growth is equitable, sustainable, and beneficial to diverse community needs:

Mixed Land Use: Blending residential, commercial, and recreational areas.
Compact Design: Building upward, not outward, to save land and infrastructure costs.
Range of Housing Options: Supporting affordability and diversity.
Walkable Communities: Prioritizing pedestrians over cars.
Distinctive and Attractive Places: Cultivating cultural heritage and local identity.
Preserving Open Spaces: Protecting farms, forests, and wildlife habitats.
Development in Existing Communities: Revitalizing instead of expanding.
Transportation Diversity: Expanding options beyond private vehicles.
Predictable and Cost-Effective Policies: Streamlining processes for developers.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Encouraging active community involvement in planning.

Key Examples of Smart Growth Success

1. Portland, Oregon: A Pioneer in Urban Growth Boundaries

Portland famously instituted an urban growth boundary (UGB) in the 1970s, a policy designed to limit sprawl and protect farmland. The city has since become a model of smart growth by promoting mixed-use development, extensive public transit, and a vibrant downtown. Today, Portland boasts some of the nation’s highest levels of bike commuting and public transportation use.

Social Impact: Portland’s neighborhoods foster inclusivity, with streets designed to encourage interaction among residents.

2. Arlington, Virginia: Transforming Transit Corridors

In the 1980s, Arlington converted its declining commercial corridor into a thriving mixed-use area anchored by metro stations. By zoning for higher density near transit stops, the county turned what could have been auto-centric sprawl into a hub of walkability, retail, and residential space.

Economic Outcome: Property values and tax revenue soared, illustrating the economic benefits of transit-oriented development.

3. Davidson, North Carolina: Small-Town Charm Meets Smart Growth

Davidson adopted planning ordinances that prioritize pedestrians, promote mixed land use, and preserve green spaces. These policies ensure its growth complements its historical charm.

Community Voice: Davidson actively engages residents in its planning, fostering a sense of shared ownership.

Cultural and Social Significance

Smart growth is not just about infrastructure; it’s about enhancing quality of life. By prioritizing community-building, these strategies address social challenges like isolation and inequality. Walkable neighborhoods promote physical health, while affordable housing initiatives combat displacement and gentrification.

Environmental Legacy

Smart growth directly combats climate change by reducing vehicle emissions through improved public transportation and energy-efficient designs. Urban greenery, preserved farmlands, and parks improve air quality and biodiversity.

Economic Revitalization

In many cities, smart growth policies have rejuvenated struggling downtowns, attracting businesses and fostering entrepreneurship. For example, Cleveland’s Warehouse District transformed into a bustling hub for dining, arts, and loft living, thanks to smart growth principles.

Critical Reviews and Challenges

Praise

Advocates hail smart growth as a forward-thinking approach to urbanization. Cities like San Francisco and Denver demonstrate that dense, transit-rich neighborhoods attract talent, bolster local economies, and improve living standards.

Criticism

However, critics point out that rapid implementation can lead to gentrification, pricing out lower-income residents. While smart growth promises inclusivity, achieving it requires intentional efforts to integrate affordable housing and safeguard community heritage.

Challenges

Funding: Building public transit and redeveloping urban cores can be costly.
Stakeholder Coordination: Aligning the interests of developers, governments, and communities is complex.
Market Forces: Many still prefer suburban homes with large lots, challenging efforts to densify cities.

Insights Into Smart Growth Communities

Engaging Local Residents

Successful projects—like Chattanooga, Tennessee's downtown revitalization—rely on grassroots support. Regular forums, workshops, and surveys give residents a voice in shaping their environments.

Leveraging Technology

Smart growth increasingly integrates technology, from GIS mapping to green building innovations. For instance, Kansas City uses smart streetlights to optimize energy use and improve safety.

Education as a Tool

Educating communities about the benefits of compact, sustainable development is crucial. Outreach campaigns in places like Madison, Wisconsin, showcase how better land-use policies can reduce costs while improving residents' lives.

Looking to the Future

Smart growth is evolving to address 21st-century challenges. The rise of remote work, growing inequality, and climate crises require innovative adaptations of its principles. Cities like Austin, Texas, are blending technology with traditional smart growth strategies to plan for growth while managing resources wisely.

As urban populations continue to swell, the lessons of smart growth—collaboration, foresight, and inclusivity—will remain essential. By learning from past successes and failures, communities can pave a path toward a balanced, sustainable future.

The Smart Growth Network does not lobby and does not take on individual development decisions.

SmartGrowthOnline.org