Smart
growth encourages communities to craft a vision
and set standards for develop-ment and construction
which respond to community values of architectural
beauty and distinctiveness, as well as expanded
choices in housing and transportation. It seeks
to create interesting, unique communities which
reflect the values and cultures of the people
who reside there, and foster the types of physical
environments which support a more cohesive community
fabric. Smart growth promotes development which
uses natural and man-made boundaries and landmarks
to create a sense of defined neighbor-hoods,
towns, and regions. It encourages the construction
and preservation of buildings which prove to
be assets to a community over time, not only
because of the services provided within, but
because of the unique contribution they make
on the outside to the look and feel of a city.
Guided
by a vision of how and where to grow, communities
are able to identify and utilize opportunities
to make new development conform to their standards
of distinctiveness and beauty. Contrary to the
current mode of development, smart growth ensures
that the value of infill and greenfield development
is determined as much by their accessibility
(by car or other means) as their physical orientation
to and relationship with other buildings and
open space. By creating high-quality communities
with architectural and natural elements that
reflect the interests of all residents, there
is a greater likelihood that buildings (and
therefore entire neighborhoods) will retain
their economic vitality and value over time.
In so doing, the infrastructure and natural
resources used to create these areas will provide
residents with a distinctive and beautiful place
that they can call “home” for generations
to come.
