What are the Principles of Smart Growth?
The principles may be expressed differently by different organizations. However, all agree on a basic core of ideas that describe Smart Growth. These include: 1) Growing inward, not outward: Focus on brownfield and infield development – recycle and maximize building sites. Build where infrastructure exists or can be economical. Cluster commercial development for convenience and conservation. Focus retail, restaurants, hotels, entertainment facilities within population centers. Maintain and revitalize downtowns. 2) Conserving natural resources: Conserve farmland and forestland, riparian buffers along streams, natural areas, and scenic areas. Maintain and revitalize quality of water by minimizing impact on bodies of water from point and non-point sources, and impervious surfaces. Allow floodplains and wetlands to function as natural flood protectors, stormwater buffers, and water storage locations. 3) Building “green”: Use management practices and technology that conserve energy and mate
