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Prosperous Economy and Wise Development

Advantages of Sustainable Urban Development Highlighted for Builders, Entrepreneurs, and Local Authorities

Economic Growth via Smart Development Strategies
Economic Growth via Smart Development Strategies

Prosperous Economy and Wise Development

In the realm of urban planning and economic development, smart growth has emerged as a key approach for communities across the United States. This strategy, championed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to foster sustainable, economically vibrant, and environmentally responsible communities.

The EPA's Smart Growth initiative prioritises sustainability and economic opportunity, integrating land use and transportation planning that supports economic development, reduces costs, and improves quality of life. This approach helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity while protecting human health and the environment.

One of the tools the EPA uses is the Smart Growth Index (SGI), a GIS-based model that assesses alternative land use and transportation scenarios. This helps guide decisions that balance economic growth with environmental protection and community livability.

Smart growth also emphasises the importance of watershed protection practices. By managing land development to protect water resources, communities can safeguard ecosystems and support sustainable development. The EPA encourages the integration of climate-smart water systems and infrastructure, enhancing resilience to natural and manmade hazards, including climate change threats.

Local leadership plays a crucial role in implementing sustainability actions. Programs like the Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network help local leaders implement sustainability actions, promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration for better growth management.

Smart growth strategies also focus on promoting local economies through context-specific initiatives. Programs such as the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities and Local Foods, Local Places assist communities in leveraging local assets for economic revitalization and livability improvements.

Moreover, smart growth encourages inclusive workforce development. Linking smart growth with workforce training, apprenticeship programs, and job creation enhances economic benefits and supports community inclusion.

The needs and preferences of aging baby boomers, new households, and one-person households are driving real estate market trends, with infill locations attracting many of these people. Infill development, which involves the redevelopment of previously developed urban areas, offers several advantages. For instance, water, sewer, and road infrastructure cost less in compact development than in more dispersed development. Infill projects tend to attract higher rents and sales prices compared to other locations, even if land is more expensive.

Infill development is currently being undertaken profitably by developers across the country. However, it's important to note that ongoing expenses for police, fire, and emergency services; street maintenance; and trash removal are higher per capita when development is dispersed and infrastructure must serve people across a larger geographic area.

In conclusion, smart growth strategies can help local governments build on existing assets and maximize return on investment while helping to protect the environment and human health. By adopting these strategies, communities can create economically successful, sustainable, and livable urban environments.

  1. The EPA's Smart Growth initiative encourages the implementation of climate-smart water systems to protect water resources, which is essential for safeguarding ecosystems and supporting sustainable development, thus improving the quality of life.
  2. Infill development, a key strategy under smart growth, not only offers advantages like lower infrastructure costs and higher rents but also aligns with the needs of aging baby boomers, new households, and one-person households, contributing to more inclusive and economically prosperous communities.

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