Chapter 4: Problem 13

What are the major strategies of smart growth?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The major strategies of smart growth include encouraging compact, mixed-use development; preserving open space and environmental resources; prioritizing infrastructure improvements in existing communities; promoting transportation choices; engaging and empowering local communities; and fostering a strong, diverse economy. These strategies aim to create sustainable communities by focusing on economic, environmental, and social wellbeing while minimizing sprawl, improving transportation options, and enhancing existing infrastructure and resources.

Step by step solution

Define Smart Growth

Smart growth is an urban planning and development approach that aims to create sustainable communities by focusing on economic, environmental, and social wellbeing. This approach seeks to minimize sprawl, improve transportation options, promote mixed-use development, preserve open spaces, and enhance existing infrastructure and resources.

Strategy 1: Encourage Compact, Mixed-Use Development

One of the primary goals of smart growth is to create compact, mixed-use developments. These developments integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, promoting walkability and reducing the need for automobile use. For example, a mixed-use development might include apartments and condominiums on the upper floors and retail stores, restaurants, and offices on the ground floor, bringing people and destinations closer together.

Strategy 2: Preserve Open Space and Environmental Resources

Smart growth prioritizes the protection of open spaces and natural resources, including forests, farmland, and wetlands. By preserving these areas, communities can maintain a sense of place, improve air and water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and offer residents opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of the natural environment.

Strategy 3: Prioritize Infrastructure Improvements in Existing Communities

Another smart growth strategy involves focusing on infrastructure improvements in existing communities, rather than building new infrastructure to accommodate sprawling development. By reinvesting in existing infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation, communities can ensure that these assets are well-maintained and support healthy, vibrant neighborhoods.

Strategy 4: Promote Transportation Choices

Smart growth encourages a variety of transportation options, including walking, bicycling, and public transit, in addition to driving. By providing safe and convenient alternatives to driving, communities can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance overall quality of life for residents.

Strategy 5: Engage and Empower Local Communities

In order to achieve smart growth objectives, it is critical to involve local residents and stakeholders in the planning and decision-making process. This includes bringing people together to identify community needs, develop shared goals and visions for the future, and collaboratively implement strategies that support sustainable growth.

Strategy 6: Foster a Strong, Diverse Economy

Smart growth recognizes the importance of a strong, diverse economy in supporting sustainable communities. By promoting economic development, job creation, and providing a range of affordable housing options, communities can attract and retain a diverse workforce and ensure that residents have access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. These strategies represent some of the key components of smart growth, an approach that emphasizes sustainable development, preservation of resources, and a strong sense of community to create thriving, livable areas for current and future generations.

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What are the major strategies of smart growth?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Smart Growth

Strategy 1: Encourage Compact, Mixed-Use Development

Strategy 2: Preserve Open Space and Environmental Resources

Strategy 3: Prioritize Infrastructure Improvements in Existing Communities

Strategy 4: Promote Transportation Choices

Strategy 5: Engage and Empower Local Communities

Strategy 6: Foster a Strong, Diverse Economy

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