Smart Growth
Smart Growth is the term used to describe well-planned,
well-managed growth that adds new homes and creates new
jobs, while preserving open space, farmland, and environmental
resources. Smart Growth supports livable neighborhoods
with a variety of housing types, price ranges and multi-modal
forms of transportation. Smart Growth is an approach to
land-use planning that targets the State’s resources
and funding in ways that enhance the quality of life for
residents in New Jersey.
Smart Growth principles include mixed-use development,
walkable town centers and neighborhoods, mass transit
accessibility, sustainable economic and social development
and preserved green space. Smart Growth can be seen all
around us: it is evident in larger cities such as Elizabeth
and Jersey City; in smaller towns like Red Bank and Hoboken,
and in the rural communities like Chesterfield and Hope.
In New Jersey, Smart Growth supports development and redevelopment
in recognized Centers—a compact form of development—as
outlined in the State Development and Redevelopment Plan,
with existing infrastructure that serves the economy,
the community and the environment.
Principles of Smart Growth
- mixed land uses
- compact, clustered community design
- range of housing choice and opportunity
- walkable neighborhoods
- distinctive, attractive communites offering a sense of place
- open space, farmland, and scenic resource preservation
- future development strengthened and directed to existing communities using existing infrastructure
- transportation option variety
- predictable, fair and cost-effective development decisions
- community and stakeholder collaboration in development decision-making
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