NRDC: Smart Growth

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Issues: Smart Growth

Picturing Smart Growth

Cities and towns across the country are embracing smart growth as a better solution to meet the needs of their growing populations. See visions for how 70 U.S. communities could apply smart growth principles that accommodate growth and development while saving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods and helping cool the planet.

LEED for Neighborhood Development
New standards created by an NRDC partnership are providing a guide for developers and communities to build greener neighborhoods.

Reducing the Miles We Drive
A bill in Congress known as CLEAN-TEA would help reduce global warming pollution through more efficient land use and transportation alternatives.

Affordable Green Housing
The Green Communities Initiative is building thousands of affordable, environmentally friendly homes across the country.

Building Better Communities
Smart growth strategies can save Americans thousands of dollars a year in transportation costs while improving quality of life.

California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act
California's SB 375 is the nation's first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming.

See how communities like yours are fighting sprawl

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Kaid Benfield's Blog

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

Kaid's Recent Posts

A portrait of a neighborhood in transition: posted by Kaid Benfield, 9/2/10
Why doesn't the public health community get it about walkability?: posted by Kaid Benfield, 9/1/10
'Building a better block' demo is changing a Dallas neighborhood: posted by Kaid Benfield, 8/31/10

Related NRDC Press Releases

4/29/2010: LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System Launches as Benchmark for Green Neighborhood Design
8/11/2009: Report: Arid West Can Help Meet Its Water Needs While Reducing Energy Use
6/25/2009: Report Provides Blueprint for Communities to Tackle Global Warming

Related Links

Recommended Smart Growth Websites

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