Learn about smart growth

Get involved

ENG

DONATE

Get involved

Find out how you can join the movement.

DONATE

Overview Memberships & partnerships

Sponsorship

Advocacy Careers

Smart growth 101

Smart growth is a holistic approach to community design that uses interdisciplinary land use and transportation strategies.

DONATE

Key principles Benefits Smart growth in action

About us

Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

Welcome to Smart Growth America Mission, vision, and values Our history The team Board

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

Browse now

How we work

Programs & coalitions

Direct community support Current projects Stories of impact

Impact

Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

Stories of impact

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.

All Equity Summit Equity Forums

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

Browse now

All News Resources Media

Resource

Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought

Home>Knowledge Hub>Resources>Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought

Read the Report

Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought

Americans from coast to coast have been suffering through one of the worst droughts in decades. Many blame erratic weather conditions for water shortages, while others point to population growth. But that’s not the whole story. Another major contributor to our water problems is the way we develop land. As we pave over more and more wetlands and forests, this new report shows that we are depleting our water supplies. It’s not only the arid West that is facing critical shortages. The rapidly suburbanizing Southeast, blessed with a seemingly inexhaustible water supply, is now in serious trouble, as are many other formerly water-rich regions of the country.