"Smart Growth" and FHWA
What does "Smart Growth" mean to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)?
The FHWA believes that "smart growth" is a concept best supported by a set of policies and programs intended to protect and preserve valuable natural and cultural resources. "Smart growth" also encourages economic development in targeted locations. While transportation is not specifically mentioned in that working definition, it is important to note that transportation affects land use just like affordable housing, good schools, and low crime rates.
What does "smart growth mean for transportation?
It can mean:
-
Establishing state and local land use strategies to increase population and housing densities and make transit more viable,
-
Managing and operating existing highway, transit, and other transportation modes to maintain or improve performance for each mode without adversely affecting neighborhoods or urban centers,
-
Knitting transportation improvement projects and public/private investments so that they merge as seamlessly as possible into the community,
-
Supporting the provision of mixed use development so that transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and ferry boats are viable options to driving,
-
Accommodating the flow of freight throughout the country so that the economy can continue to grow.
It does not mean:
To see how FHWA programs can assist states, local governments, and others in addressing smart growth and related issues, please go to
and
|