To grow smart is to use land in a way that strengthens rather than weakens our economy, environment, and communities.
Smart growth is conservative.
By building compactly and protecting farmland and open space, we cut the need for taxpayer-funded infrastructure while we simultaneously protect water and air, make housing affordable, reduce traffic, revive and create beloved traditional neighborhoods, and sustain community bonds. A great number of resources on smart growth are available online to activists. This article takes a national perspective. Kit A recently released toolkit from the Urban Land Institute seeks to move smart growth from a concept to a reality. The publication profiles smart growth policies and practices and includes 19 case studies from across the nation.