Coastal Services Center

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Is It Smart Growth?

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Since each development, town, county, region, and state has different needs, there cannot be a simple answer to the question "Is this smart growth?" Smart growth may be defined in many different ways, but it is always based on consideration of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. For any given project, the specifics related to these factors will vary based on the local natural and cultural resource conditions, existing social network and sense of community in an area, and the economic and political forces behind land development, management, and zoning.

The Smart Growth Network defines ten principles of smart growth. Many are represented in the scenarios developed for this project. In general, there are more smart growth components present in the new urbanist and conservation scenario designs and fewer found in the conventional design. For some of the principles, the scope and timing of this project precluded their inclusion. For instance site selection was not a part of this project, even though one principle of smart growth is to consider a potential development's proximity to existing infrastructure and encourage infill or brownfield development. Neither was a local public participation process included as part of this project, though that too is recognized as a principle of smart growth. While involving citizens in a site-selection or design process is beneficial because it can help identify community needs and strengthen support for the future development, it was not considered appropriate for this project, which was hypothetical in nature and not constrained by actual local development.

Conventional Design

The conventional scenario was designed to maximize the developable land and waterfront lots, with little emphasis placed on protection of the natural resources of the area or inclusion of civic spaces. This scenario also lacks sidewalks, which can contribute to the sense of place of a community. Conventional thought on economic development forces says that the highest return on investment to the developer will be attained by maximizing high-end, large homes on premium (waterfront) lots. However, the net revenue for the developer in this scenario is the lowest of the three. Visit the Economic Indicators Web page for more information on net revenues.

Conservation Design

This design made preserving the natural resources of the site, including the marshes, wetlands, and mature hardwoods, a first priority. The scenario illustrates recent trends in residential development that protect contiguous open space and cluster homes on smaller lots adjacent to natural areas. Conservation measures in this scenario exceed those that are required by law, including vegetated buffers and swale drainages along roads. The design includes trails and neighborhood parks, which can serve as gathering places in the community. An economic advantage in this scenario is realized through reduced clearing and infrastructure and market premiums that buyers may be willing to pay for conservation subdivision homes.

It should be noted that not all conservation designs are considered smart growth. In fact, a conservation development located in a rural area that conserves 50 percent of the site, but allows for 2-5 acre single family residential lots can actually contribute to the larger sprawl picture. As with any type of development, the site location within the region or watershed is important. Developments located near existing infrastructure and near shopping and employment areas will lessen daily vehicle miles traveled which ultimately affects air and water quality.

New Urbanist Design

The new urbanist scenario focused on preserving open space and compacting development in civic-oriented centers. While a natural resource inventory did not figure into the location or design of open space, this scenario does exceed legally required natural resource protection measures. This scenario is characterized by three distinct villages, public civic spaces, which include roads and trails, and a mix of commercial and residential uses. Such features can enhance the sense of community in a large development. The commercial spaces offered in this scenario mix land uses together, providing settings to live near work with walkable shopping for local residents. Commercial businesses will contribute to the local economy by providing jobs and sales tax revenue to the jurisdiction.

Links to Resources

The American Planning Association's "A Smart Growth Reader" provides definitions, tools, and information on environment, open space, and legal issues from its journal publications.

Beach, Dana. 2002. Coastal Sprawl: The Effects of Urban Design on Aquatic Ecosystems in the United States. Pew Oceans Commission Science Report. 32pp.

The Georgia Quality Growth Partnership (GQGP) provides local governments and citizens with the tools and knowledge to transform the way people define, create, and sustain high quality Georgia communities.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology manages many Web sites providing resources on sustainable energy, green building, sustainable agriculture, affordable housing, and sustainable community development.

The National Geographic magazine provides a visualization that demonstrates smart growth principles in a New Urbanist neighborhood. This site provides an easy way to learn more about smart growth and urban sprawl.

The Natural Resources Defense Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency partnered to provide downloadable case studies on the environmental characteristics of smart growth neighborhoods in Sacramento, California and Nashville, Tennessee. The studies, published in October 2000 and February 2003, show that the environmental benefits of smart growth are real and can be measured.

The NOAA Coastal Services Center Funding Opportunities Web site provides information on grant and funding opportunities by category, including funding for brownfields and sustainable development. This site also provides links to many free resources, including articles, tutorials, and tips that will help managers and staff through the grant-writing process.

The Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse (SWC) provides many searchable resources by category. SWC makes the tools, techniques, and strategies developed to manage growth, including best land use practices, available.

U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network has a Sustainability Tool Kit. This toolkit contains a collection of visioning, design, and planning tools to aid in planning sustainable communities.

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