Issue Areas

Environmental Issues: Sustainable Communities

Picturing Smart Growth Visions for Sustainable Communities Across America Guide: Cities and towns across the country are embracing smart growth as a better solution to meet the needs of their growing populations. Smart growth principles accommodate growth and development while saving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods and helping cool the planet. See visions created through photo-editing software for how 70 communities across the country could apply smart growth principles to improve their streets and neighborhoods.

For additional policy documents, see the NRDC Document Bank.

Kaid Benfield writes about development, community and the environment on Switchboard.

The proof is in: smart growth reduces risk of mortgage default: posted by Kaid Benfield, 6/27/13
Urbanism without effort: sometimes the best places are created instinctively: posted by Kaid Benfield, 6/25/13
Two very different views of the condition of American cities: posted by Kaid Benfield, 6/24/13

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