Coalition for Responsible Growth
and Resource Conservation (CRGRC)

Smart Growth

The Coalition for Responsible Growth and Resource Conservation (CRGRC) is dedicated to responsible growth and the conservation of our natural resources -- Smart Growth.

Learn more about Smart Growth from this PowerPoint presentation >>>>

Smart Growth FAQs:

What is Smart Growth?

Smart Growth is growth where and when it fits into the economy and the environment.

Smart Growth does not limit growth except:
- to channel it to areas where infrastructure allows growth to be sustained over the long term
- to grow in ways that conserve natural resources
- to keep growth away from sensitive environmental areas that need to be preserved

 

What is infrastructure that allows for sustainable growth?

Infrastructure is the basic support for growth, and it includes:
- water lines
- sewer lines
- electrical service
- roadways with sufficient lanes for turning and traffic signals
- adequately-sized bridges
- communication cables
- dikes
- previously-occupied buildings that can be readapted for new purposes

Not all infrastructure has to be in place for growth to be smart, but the more infrastructure there is, the less it costs the builder and the taxpayer.

 

What are all natural resources – aren’t natural resources just environmental?

Natural resources can be viewed as not just environmental, although environmental resources are important. Environmental resources include areas that protect the air and water quality, such as forests, wetlands and floodplains.

Natural resources also include what is agricultural (farmland, woods/forests & rivers/steams/lakes). These resources can also be considered economic resources. Natural resources also encompass the  cultural (historical & archeological) and the scenic and recreational (motoring, viewing, birding, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping & biking). You may notice that there are natural resources that are included in several categories - such as woods/forests and rivers/streams/lakes.

 

What are sensitive environmental resources?

Sensitive environmental resources are those critical to preserving the quality of  such resources as water, air,  soil – resources that we need to maintain life and health. These include floodplains and wetlands, necessary to stop flooding or mitigate its effects, riparian buffers and wetlands to maintain high quality, forests to purify the air and maintain good quality soils.

 

How would I know if a proposed development is Smart Growth?

Ask yourself whether the proposed development satisfies many or all of the Principles of Smart Growth. For  a description of these Smart Growth Principles, click here:
Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania, Ideas for Creating More Livable and Prosperous Communities, by Edward T. McMahon and Shelley S. Mastran, 2005. Published by The Conservation Fund in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (PDF)

 

What are the Principles of Smart Growth?

The principles may be expressed differently by different organizations. However, all agree on a basic core of  ideas that describe Smart Growth. These include:

1) Growing inward, not outward: Focus on brownfield and infield development – recycle and maximize building sites. Build where infrastructure exists or can be economical. Cluster commercial development for convenience and conservation. Focus retail, restaurants, hotels, entertainment facilities within population centers. Maintain and revitalize downtowns.

2) Conserving natural resources: Conserve farmland and forestland, riparian buffers along streams, natural areas, and scenic areas. Maintain and revitalize quality of water by minimizing impact on bodies of water from point and non-point sources, and impervious surfaces. Allow floodplains and wetlands to function as natural flood protectors, stormwater buffers, and water storage locations.

3) Building “green”: Use management practices and technology that conserve energy and materials and minimize waste.

4) Building for sustainable, family-supporting jobs and a diversified workforce: Create a solid, diversified industrial base to precede and support solid, diversified local retail beyond “the big box.”  Anticipate counter-effects of new development that would result in additional hard-to-market and often blighted brownfield sites. Base sites for future commercial development on population projections and availability of cost-effective infrastructure to support them.  Projects should be selected to result in providing pay levels that are at the family-supporting level. Jobs that pay below the family-supporting level put great demand on social support organizations.

5) Building for communities that are safe, healthy, and attractive: Honor and build upon cultural uniqueness. Conserve historic sites and architecture. Set design standards for franchises, signage, landscaping, and “green” buffer areas.

 

You can find discussion of these principles by clicking here:
Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania, Ideas for Creating More Livable and Prosperous Communities, by Edward T. McMahon and Shelley S. Mastran, 2005. Published by The Conservation Fund in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (PDF)

To see some examples of Smart and Non-Smart Growth click here>>>

 

Are there examples of Smart
and Non-Smart Growth?

 

 

What can I do to promote Smart Growth?

(1) Educate yourself; Stay informed

  • Check with your municipal, county or state planning offices to see if they have comprehensive plans for growth and development of their area.
  • Urge your community to prepare a comprehensive plan if none exists.

(2) Be an advocate for Smart Growth

  • Encourage your municipal, state & federal representatives to enforce Smart Growth principles in your communities.
  • Write letters, send emails, make phone calls to officials who are involved in development approval
  • Attend local and regional meetings where development plans are being reviewed for approval
  • Tell your elected and appointed officials you want developments to follow Smart Growth principles and to fit into community-driven standards.
                   

Where can I learn more about Smart Growth?

The Keystone Principles & Criteria for Growth, Investment & Resource Conservation (PDF)


Better Models for Development in Pennsylvania, Ideas for Creating More Livable and Prosperous Communities, by Edward T. McMahon and Shelley S. Mastran, 2005. Published by The Conservation Fund in partnership with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (PDF)

http://www.lumberheritage.org/Designguide.htm
The Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania says, “This Design Guide will assist communities in reaping the benefits of change and growth while protecting their treasured characters.”

 

Look for a Smart Growth organization in your area. Here are links to a few such organizations:

Smart Growth Online: http://www.smartgrowth.org
Smart Growth America: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org
A Smart Growth Reader (from The American Planning Association): http://www.planning.org/sgreader
Smart Growth Codes (The American Planning Association): http://www.planning.org/smartgrowthcodes
Pennsylvania Wilds Design Guide – A design guide for community character stewardship: PaWildsDesignGuide (NOTE: large PDF)

Pennsylvania Land Use Coalition: http://www.paluc.org
Delaware Valley (PA) Smart Growth Alliance: http://www.delawarevalleysmartgrowth.org/projects.htm
Berks County (PA)  Smart Growth Alliance: http://www.co.berks.pa.us/sga/site
Coalition for Smart Growth (Lancaster County, PA): http://www.coalitionforsmartgrowth.org

 

 

 

 © Copyright 2008 Coalition for Responsible Growth and Resource Conservation
Banner photo courtesy of Ruhrfisch