Smart growth

Definition

Smart growth is an urban planning and transportation approach that focuses on sustainable development, aiming to create compact, walkable communities while preserving open space and minimizing environmental impact. It emphasizes efficient infrastructure use, mixed land use, and a robust public transit system, fostering neighborhoods that encourage social interaction and reduce reliance on cars.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Smart growth promotes mixed-use development, allowing residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to coexist in close proximity.
2. One key principle of smart growth is prioritizing public transportation options to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
3. Smart growth encourages the development of green spaces and parks within urban areas, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
4. Implementing smart growth strategies can lead to cost savings in infrastructure maintenance by maximizing existing resources instead of expanding into undeveloped areas.
5. Community involvement is essential in smart growth initiatives, ensuring that local needs and preferences shape development plans.

Review Questions

• How does smart growth address issues related to urban sprawl and promote more sustainable urban environments?
  • Smart growth directly tackles urban sprawl by advocating for compact, efficient land use that keeps communities dense and walkable. By promoting mixed-use developments, smart growth helps to create neighborhoods where residents can live, work, and play without relying heavily on cars. This approach not only preserves open spaces but also reduces environmental degradation associated with sprawling developments.
• Discuss the role of public transportation in smart growth and how it influences community design and accessibility.
  • Public transportation is a cornerstone of smart growth as it encourages the development of transit-oriented communities. By designing neighborhoods around accessible public transit options, smart growth reduces reliance on cars, leading to lower traffic congestion and improved air quality. This emphasis on connectivity also enhances accessibility for all residents, including those who may not own a vehicle, thereby fostering a more inclusive community.
• Evaluate the long-term benefits of implementing smart growth principles in urban planning for both economic stability and environmental sustainability.
  • The long-term benefits of implementing smart growth principles include enhanced economic stability through reduced infrastructure costs and increased property values in well-planned areas. By focusing on sustainable practices such as efficient land use and preserving green spaces, smart growth contributes significantly to environmental sustainability. Additionally, these practices improve public health by promoting active transportation options like walking and biking while minimizing pollution from vehicle emissions.

Related terms

Sustainable Development: A development strategy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, integrating economic, social, and environmental goals.

Transit-Oriented Development: A planning approach that focuses on creating dense, walkable communities near public transportation hubs to promote public transit use and reduce car dependency.

Urban Sprawl:

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, often characterized by low-density residential development and increased reliance on automobiles.