What is smart growth?
Smart growth is an approach to community design that connects housing, transportation, and land use to create healthy, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods.
About us
Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.
Our work
Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.
Explore Our Signature Reports
Impact
Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.
Events
Throughout the year, we host a number of in-person and virtual events covering topics related to public health, social equity, and climate resilience.
Knowledge hub
We offer a library of case studies, videos, and reports to support policymakers, practitioners, and advocates interested in advancing smart growth.
Explore our signature reports
Focus Areas
Rural smart growth
Smart growth isn’t just for cities—it’s an excellent strategy for rural communities. Small towns and rural regions face unique challenges, from aging infrastructure to limited transportation options and underinvested main streets. We help communities set a vision for their place and make decisions that strengthen local economies, support vibrant downtowns, improve access to essential services, and build more fiscally sustainable futures.
Why smart growth is the right strategy to support rural communities
Rural communities benefit from smart growth approaches that preserve local character, reduce infrastructure and service costs, and improve access to housing, jobs, and essential services. Strategies like reinvesting in historic town centers, encouraging context-appropriate zoning reform, expanding transportation options, and promoting efficient land use can help rural places grow sustainably without losing what makes them unique.
How we lead
Smart Growth America has partnered with hundreds of rural communities to support economic development, improve quality of life, and craft solutions that fit their size, context, and goals. Our support includes:
- Technical assistance and training on the fiscal impact of growth
- Supporting local elected officials to advance Complete Streets and other pressing issues
- Innovative research and advocacy to ensure rural priorities are reflected in state and federal decisions
- Guidance on securing funding for infrastructure, transportation, housing, and resilience
Our work
Resources
Completing Rural Highways: Maintaining assets in California and North Carolina
Community Facilities Location Policy Toolkit
Fiscal Impact Analysis Policies in Rural Communities Toolkit
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Livable places. Healthy people. Shared prosperity.
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