Safe, connected, and people-first transportation is essential for thriving communities. Yet in too many places, streets are built to prioritize high-speed traffic over the safety and mobility of everyone else—especially people walking, biking, rolling, or taking transit. This has deadly consequences. We’re working to change that by reimagining transportation systems that work for all Americans.
Smart growth integrates transportation and land use so that people can safely and affordably get where they need to go, regardless of whether they have access to a personal vehicle. When we build communities where jobs, schools, shops, and homes are closer together—and accessible by multiple forms of transportation—we reduce the need for long car trips, lower household transportation costs, and cut emissions.
Complete Streets are a cornerstone of smart growth. They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, and are key to addressing our national roadway safety crisis, improving health, and expanding access to opportunity—particularly for people in historically disinvested and low-income communities and rural areas.
How we lead
Smart Growth America leads two programs that advance transportation reform across the country:
- The National Complete Streets Coalition is a leading voice for designing safer, more equitable streets. We help communities adopt and implement Complete Streets policies that reflect local goals, provide hands-on technical assistance, and track and analyze progress through tools like the Policy Atlas and our signature report, Dangerous by Design.
- Transportation for America advocates for federal, state, and local transportation policy that puts people first. We work to shift funding toward maintenance and safety, ensure that transportation dollars serve public outcomes—not just vehicle speed—and support local leaders in building more connected, transit-accessible communities.
Our work
Programs and coalitions
Smart Growth America programs and coalitions advance transportation reform to allow Americans to get where they need to go safely and efficiently.
Transportation for America is an advocacy organization made up of local, regional, and state leaders who envision a transportation system that safely, affordably, and conveniently connects people of all means and abilities to jobs, services, and opportunities through multiple modes of travel.
The State Smart Transportation Initiative is a project of Smart Growth America and the High Road Strategy Center, based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. SSTI supports state transportation agencies committed to equity, sustainability, and transparency.
The National Complete Streets Coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of public interest organizations and transportation professionals committed to the development and implementation of Complete Streets policies and practices.
Get the latest news from our programs and coalitions in your inbox!
Subscribe
Advocacy
Help us shape the future of sustainable communities. Be an advocate for smart growth policies for healthy, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods. Act now!
Support policies and initiatives that advance smart growth, make our streets safer for everyone, and expand access to convenient, affordable transportation options.
