Smart Growth Index

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

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Imagine that you are a community planner. Your jurisdiction is in the midst of unprecedented population and economic expansion, as a result there is considerable discussion within the community on whether all this growth is good or smart. There are those who want growth for its perceived economic and fiscal benefits, and others who want to limit it, concerned that the character of the community is eroding with every new development approval. Both groups claim to be advocates of smart growth. Your responsibility is to make sense of it all.

The Smart Growth Index (SGI) is a GIS sketch model for simulating alternative land-use and transportation scenarios, and evaluating their outcomes using indicators of environmental performance:

Regional growth management plans
Land-use, transportation and neighborhood plans
Land development reports
Environmental impact reports
Special projects, e.g. brownfield redevelopment, annexation, etc

EPA worked with more than 30 partners to use SGI to create land use and transportation decisions that encourage economic development; reduce fiscal expenditure, protect the environment; and improve community quality of life. For more information, visit our Smart Growth INDEX Partnerships page.

Smart Growth INDEX (PDF) (2 pp, 925 K)
A short handout introducing the technical specifications, outputs and uses of the software.

EPA 's Smart Growth INDEX In 20 Pilot Communities (PDF) (44 pp, 1.6 MB)
A progress report on the SGI pilot phase

Printer-friendly version (PDF) (44 pp, 3 MB)

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