Smart growth is a principle of land development that emphasizes mixing land uses, increases the availability of affordable housing by creating a range of housing opportunities in neighborhoods, takes advantage of compact design, fosters distinctive and attractive communities, preserves open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas, strengthens existing communities, provides a variety of transportation choices, makes development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective and encourages community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.

Achieving smart growth is all about the choices we make for how we want to grow. Smart growth provides a framework to help communities choose alternatives that help them become more livable places by protecting natural resources, enhancing quality of life, offering housing choice, and improving municipal finances.

Smart Growth is not “no-growth,” growth is inevitable. It is about addressing questions such as where growth will occur, what it will look like, and what it will cost. 

Currently about 1/4 of the Commonwealth is developed and 1/4 is permanently protected. The 50% of remaining land is what’s at stake. Some of this land will be needed to accommodate new housing and businesses. However, we are consuming far more land than necessary to accommodate our growth needs.  The Audubon Society’s Losing Ground report indicates that forty-four acres of land is consumed by development in Massachusetts every day. Almost 9 out of every 10 acres consumed go to residential development, with 65% of that used for low-density, large-lot development.  The goal is to use the remaining land as efficiently as possible, while building vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods and communities.

The Massachusetts Smart Growth Toolkit provides easy access to information on twelve different planning, zoning and subdivision techniques that will make smart growth a reality in your community. The materials are designed to increase understanding of smart growth tools and how to customize the techniques to local circumstances.