Smart Growth
What is Smart Growth?
Smart Growth is essentially a means to make more sustainable development choices in an effort to create vibrant urban centres, sustain a strong economy, ensure a healthy environment and combat urban sprawl.Smart Growth Principles
Create a mix of land uses - a mix of jobs, stores and homes make life more convenient
Promote compact built form - this contributes to a sense of community as neighbours get to know each other, not just cars
Offer a range of housing opportunities and choices - not everyone wants or needs the same thing
Produce walkable neighbourhoods and communities - gets people out of cars and reduces gridlock
Foster attractive communities and a sense of place - each community has unique features worth preserving
Preserve farmland and natural resources - people understand and appreciate their connection to nature and the land
Direct development into existing communities - take advantage of existing community assets
Provide a variety of transportation choices - people need another way to get where they're going
Make development predictable and cost effective - obstacles to implementing Smart Growth should be removed, and
Encourage community stakeholders collaboration - plans developed with strong community involvement tend to get implemented
