Neighborhoods are within walking distance, usually a quarter-mile, from a bus or train stop. By providing several transportation options, including walking and bicycling, traffic congestion and pollution can be considerably reduced. Portland, Oregon, recognized as one of the world's most livable regions, boasts the nation's most successful example of a transit oriented development. Based upon growth projections, a community decides how much room it will need to grow over the next 25 years or so. Then, a well defined boundary is drawn on a map allotting that much space.
Future development is directed inside the boundary.
Land beyond it is protected for agricultural and natural resources. Urban growth boundaries save taxpayer dollars by confining the extension of public utilities and services. They also provide reassurance to developers and communities that future growth can continue. Again, Portland is a shining example of the effectiveness of the urban growth boundary. Urban growth boundaries have also been implemented through standard zoning practices.