Smart growth 101
Sustainable Urban Development
Why Is Sustainable Urban Development Crucial for the Future of Communities?
Urban development doesn’t happen in isolation. Issues like environment, health, and quality of life impact entire regions. A smart growth strategy helps create a more livable, sustainable, and thriving community.
Understanding Smart Growth
Smart growth represents a balanced approach to development that serves the environment, economy, and community equally. It focuses on concentrating development in existing communities while addressing crucial connections between environmental protection, social equity, public health, and economic sustainability.
Smart Growth in Your Town
Smart growth transforms communities by promoting distinctive, attractive places with strong identities. Communities benefit from preserved open spaces, strengthened existing neighborhoods, varied transportation options, and fair development decisions. Citizen participation ensures plans reflect community needs and values.
Smart Growth Data
Smart growth follows ten key objectives established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, providing measurable guidelines for sustainable development. These objectives include mixing land uses, utilizing existing community assets, creating diverse housing opportunities, fostering walkable neighborhoods, and preserving environmental areas.
Smart Growth Media
Through various media channels, smart growth initiatives share success stories, best practices, and educational resources. Communities learn from each other’s experiences, challenges, and solutions, creating a collaborative approach to sustainable development.
Smart Growth Awards
Since 2002, New Jersey Future has honored smart planning and redevelopment in New Jersey through the Smart Growth Awards. The projects and plans represent some of the best examples of sustainable growth and redevelopment in the state.
