Title: APA Policy Guide on Smart Growth
Headings: APA Policy Guide on Smart Growth
APA Policy Guide on Smart Growth
Declarations
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS
B. AN INCLUSIVE PLANNING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS
C. TRANSPORTATION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
D. FISCAL EFFICIENCY
E. SOCIAL EQUITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
F. FARMLAND PROTECTION AND LAND CONSERVATION
G. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
Definition of Smart Growth
Core principles of Smart Growth include:
Benefits of Smart Growth
Policy Outcomes
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
B. PLANNING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS:
C. TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE:
D. FISCAL EFFICIENCY:
E. SOCIAL EQUITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING:
F. FARMLAND PROTECTION AND LAND CONSERVATION:
G. PUBLIC HEALTH:
References and Further Reading
A. ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
B. PLANNING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS:
C. TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE:
D. FISCAL EFFICIENCY:
E. SOCIAL EQUITY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING:
F. FARMLAND PROTECTION AND LAND CONSERVATION:
G. PUBLIC HEALTH:
ENDNOTE

Content: The American Planning Association supports incentives targeted at restoring and expanding vibrancy to the nation's urban centers and core downtowns as an engine for job growth and economic vitality. The American Planning Association recognizes that maintaining, expanding, and optimizing the use of existing or prior public infrastructure investments resulting in more rational and efficient use of limited public resources and helps to preserve the natural environment. The American Planning Association affirms that strengthening small cities, towns, and rural centers in ways that provide greater housing and transportation choices creates economic opportunity while preserving agricultural-based economies, and cultural and natural resources, thereby adding value to the community. The American Planning Association also recognizes the tremendous economic growth potential present by retrofitting existing suburban corridors with the opportunity to create more efficient development patterns that allow for a wider variety of economic opportunity, access, and placemaking. B. AN INCLUSIVE PLANNING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS
The American Planning Association supports an inclusive citizen participation in all levels of planning as a means to accommodate diversity while promoting equity and community. The American Planning Association affirms that effective comprehensive planning is the primary means of implementing policies that promote efficient and sustainable development, stimulate redevelopment opportunities, optimize prior infrastructure investments, protect private property rights, and support local choice. The American Planning Association, recognizing there is no universal approach to Smart Growth, supports the coordination of plans, policies, and services across jurisdictions and levels of government to help support and reinforce Smart Growth approaches that fit local, regional, and statewide contexts. The American Planning Association supports planning for Smart Growth that includes the following elements: economic development, energy, hazard mitigation, historic and cultural preservation, housing, infrastructure, land use, natural resources and ecological systems, public educational and other community facilities, public services, public health, resiliency and transportation. The American Planning Association supports legislation that promotes the actions of local government including, but not limited to, zoning and other land use regulations, as well as the provision of infrastructure to be consistent with and to implement the community's adopted comprehensive plan.