Who we are Our work helps build more livable, connected communities. The smart growth movement SGA is dedicated to helping every town and city become a more healthy, prosperous, and resilient place to live, using smart growth solutions so that everyone can thrive.
What is smart growth? Smart growth is an approach to building neighborhoods that provides people with different types of housing at affordable levels, ways to get where they need to go both in and out of a car, and puts the things they need close to where they live.
A smart growth approach utilizes five key principles:
Locate the things people need (jobs, groceries, schools, etc) close to where they live.
Build a safe transportation system that connects people to jobs and other needs, whether they drive, take transit, walk, or bike.
Make sure people can afford to live in smart growth communities at all stages of life.
Give people a say in what is built in their own neighborhoods.
Focus development in existing communities with a strong sense of place.
What we do We advance smart growth through: Direct community support Smart Growth America’s Technical Assistance programs work alongside and within communities of all sizes and organizations to build support for policies and practices that will lead to healthy, prosperous, and resilient places. Powerful advocacy Smart Growth America collaborates with Congress and the administration to ensure federal policies foster economically strong, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable communities nationwide. Impactful research and reports Smart Growth America guides leaders in creating inclusive, efficient, and sustainable living environments through thought leadership, sharing cutting-edge insights and innovative strategies. Why it matters Smart Growth America’s work is pivotal because it addresses the multi-faceted challenges of modern communities.
Our signature reports catalyze change by bringing a microscope to the root causes of our biggest challenges and pioneering research-backed solutions, influencing decision-makers and shaping the evolution of our cities and towns. 0 Programs and Coalitions Click below to see how we’re making change across the country. Arts & Culture The Arts & Culture Program breathes creativity into the Smart Growth movement, sparking revolutionary change within and outside SGA and beyond. National Complete Streets Coalition The National Complete Streets Coalition is the go-to collective for human-centered urban design, making streets safe and accessible for everyone. Center for Zoning Solutions The Center for Zoning Solutions is reimagining zoning laws to make the dream community a reality, one code at a time. LOCUS LOCUS advocates for real estate policies that are as economically viable as they are socially responsible and environmentally sound. National Brownfields Coalition The National Brownfields Coalition is leading the charge to transform brownfields into viable community assets. State Smart Transportation Initiative The State Smart Transportation Initiative is hitting the policy drawing board, brainstorming ways to make state transportation smarter, more effective, and future-proof. Transportation for America T4A is a dynamic coalition that sees a future where transportation is more than just cars: it’s an interconnected web that supports safety without compromise and serves everyone, everywhere. Smart Growth Network The Smart Growth Network is a national alliance of advocates, practitioners, policy makers, and local leaders working towards a shared vision for land use and infrastructure policies and actions that result in healthy, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous communities for all. Smart Growth Roundtable The Smart Growth Roundtable comprises leaders from state, regional, and local organizations across the country focused on pioneering smart growth strategies across metropolitan landscapes.
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