Richard Eckstrom

The rapid growth of home construction and housing developments has lots of people rethinking the current model for community design. “Smart growth” is becoming a popular concept and while it may seem like just a catchy phrase, it is actually grounded in well–proven ideas from the old days.

At the most basic level, smart growth in-volves developing property according to its most effective use. Its goal is to build active community centers with features that make it appealing to spend time within a contained, hometown neighborhood.  More and more homebuyers are looking for neighborhoods that provide the “feeling” of community where extended neighbors know each other. That’s what smart growth tries to create.

Smart growth attempts to avoid past mistakes made when expanding suburbs into the adjacent rural areas. For example, instead of spreading out houses and laying out disjointed neighborhoods with meandering cul de sacs, well–planned neighborhoods are designed with connected arterial roads. In addition to making communities more attractive and accessible, this design actually leads to better traffic flow.

Smart growth neighborhoods also feature plenty of open space, outdoor amphitheatres, recreational options, walking and biking trails, retail centers, schools, churches, and even transportation options that might include mass transit and carpooling. In many cases, people are able to walk picturesque tree–lined streets while taking their children to school, going to stores or work, or visiting neighborhood parks. Housing designs often include useable front porches to encourage greater interaction among neighbors.

Smart growth may not be the answer for every development, but it should be carefully considered.  Unfortunately, local regulations sometimes discourage developers from considering it, as some zoning and subdivision regulations make it easier, faster, and cheaper to build low–density, conventional homes.  Large, sprawling, impersonal developments have often resulted.

Local officials should explore making regulations more flexible. Developers should be encouraged to consider the option of building mixed–use neighborhood communities with narrower streets, more common–use space and compact lots. If done right, smart growth can dramatically increase a sense of community. For everyone involved smart growth can be a really smart move!