Smart Growth has come about as the result of social
and environmental concerns about current development practices. Smart
Growth encourages growth in ways that "maintain and increase the
social, economic, and environmental well-being of our communities."
Smart Growth focuses on wise resource use. This means taking advantage
of existing structures, such as reusing abandoned industrial sites,
building along rail lines and public transportation routes, investing
in existing communities, and encouraging community members to get involved
in decisions about land use. Communities that take smart growth principles
into consideration are built to maintain a sense of place and provide
a variety of housing choices for people. It takes the emphasis away
from the material structures, for instance the size of the house and
property, and instead emphasizes developing a community where connections
are made between the people who live there. In addition, it recognizes
the importance of establishing "smart" transportation system
use to reduce the negative effects of sprawl.
 |
|
|
 |
