Smart growth is generally described as ten principles of land use and development that lead to stronger, healthier communities:
- Mix land uses.
- Create walkable neighborhoods.
- Provide a variety of transportation choices.
- Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
- Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
- Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas.
- Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities.
- Adopt compact building patterns and efficient infrastructure design.
- Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective.
- Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration.
- Learn more about these principles in our best practices matrix
