Regional Smart Growth Alliances
In 2005, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) received a grant from EPA to create and support regional alliances of diverse stakeholders to promote smart growth development. The alliances are created in an effort to break the political stalemate that often results as communities examine how best to support economic development, accommodate growth, enhance community livability, and protect the environment.
Under this grant, new smart growth alliances are forming in:
- Richmond, Virginia: Alliance for Quality Growth in the Richmond Region
- Denver, Colorado: Colorado Tomorrow Alliance
- Seattle, Washington: Puget Sound Quality Growth Alliance
- Southeast Florida: Smart Growth Partnership – a Southeast Florida Initiative
- ULI South Carolina
- Vision North Texas (Vision North Texas already exists; the EPA funding is supporting a new project)
The grant also helps support existing smart growth alliances, which are providing models and mentoring assistance to the new alliances:
- Atlanta Livable Communities Coalition
- Delaware Valley Smart Growth Alliance (Philadelphia region)
- myregion.org (Orlando region)
- Washington (DC) Smart Growth Alliance
In 2007, ULI created the Smart Growth Alliances Information Network (SGAIN) web site to support the work of the smart growth alliances and to give their leaders opportunities to learn from each other as they develop programs to promote and recognize smart growth in their regions.
ULI also has an ongoing series of "Case Studies for Action" that describe innovative programs developed by ULI district councils to engage land use professionals and other stakeholders. Topics include the Reality Check visioning exercise, smart growth recognition programs, statewide smart growth initiatives, and workforce housing.
For more information, please visit the Smart Growth Alliances Information Network (SGAIN) web site .