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Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change (2007) The growing demand for conveniently located housing in walkable, accessible, compact neighborhoods has been well-documented, but according to research released today, meeting that demand could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation's carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices.

Smart Growth is Smart Business (2004) The report profiles 17 businesses that are improving the quality of life for customers and employees also bolsters their bottom line by supporting smart growth policies and projects.


Measuring the Health Effects of Sprawl (2003) Using the sprawl measurement methodology and results from Measuring Sprawl and its Impact, this is the first national study to find that people who live in counties marked by sprawl-style development are more likely to weigh more, be obese, and suffer from high blood pressure.

Measuring Sprawl and its Impact (2002) This rigorous, peer-reviewed study is the first to develop a consistent method for defining and measuring the development pattern referred to as “sprawl” and its impact on residents’ lives. The study amassed an unprecedented database of measures of residential density, a mix of jobs, shops, and housing, the street network, and the presence or absence of strong centers of activity. Metropolitan areas across the country were scored and ranked, and various lifestyle and transportation factors were related to local sprawl levels.



Endangered By Sprawl (2005) This is the first study to quantify the effect of sprawling development on wildlife nationally. The report chronicles how the rapid conversion of once-natural areas and farmland into subdivisions, shopping centers, roads, and parking lots has become a leading threat to America’s native plants and animals.


Greetings from Smart Growth America Our introductory brochure. The booklet discusses Americans’ desires and feelings about growth and development, illustrates smart-growth principles, and presents real-life examples for citizens and officials, in the private sector and at every level of government, who wish to help their communities get better as the grow.

FY 2009 Budget Analysis (2008) This is our full analysis of the President's FY 2009 budget proposal, which cuts funding for a number of critical programs that help revitalize communities, provide transportation and affordable housing choices, and protect the environment, prepared for SGA by Advocacy Associates.

Smart Growth America Annual Report: (2007) Download and view the 2007 SGA Annual Report, with a summary of our acheivements and accomplishments in 2007, as well as financial numbers and donor information. (550 kb pdf)

2007 National Poll by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America. The 2007 Growth and Transportation Survey details what Americans think about how development affects their immediate community. Nearly three-quarters of Americans are concerned about the role growth and development play in climate change, as well as remaining concerned about traffic congestion.

Smart Growth Implementation Kit (2007) The Smart Growth Leadership Institute (SGLI) developed this tool for communities nationwide, to be based on SGLI’s Implementation Assistance Program activities. The Program utilizes a scorecard to examine proposed projects, identifies “smart” sites for future development, and evaluates zoning codes, approval processes, and design protocols that help advance smart growth strategies. For information on the Implementation Assistance Program, please contact Benjie dela Pena at bdelapena [at] sgli [dot] org

Smart Growth America Annual Report: (2006) Download and view the 2006 SGA Annual Report, with a summary of our acheivements and accomplishments in 2006, as well as financial numbers and donor information

Vacant Properties: the True Costs to Communities (2005) This upcoming report highlights the many costs that vacant lots and buildings pose, including safety concerns, strain on public services (nuisance abatement, fire and crime prevention), and the documented devaluing of adjacent properties. Vacant properties represent lost tax revenue and potential blight but also present potential opportunities for recapturing community vitality through redevelopment. Find out more about the National Vacant Properties Campaign

EPA's Turning Bases into Great Places: New Life for Closed Military Facilities As a result of the latest round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, communities across the country are planning for the reuse or partial reuse of military installations. To assist communities in establishing a strong foundation for this planning, EPA created this new guidebook, Turning Bases into Great Places: New Life for Closed Military Facilities.

Choosing Our Community’s Future (2005) This guidebook is designed for citizens interested in becoming more informed and involved in planning their communities. The Guide outlines planning terms, approaches, and procedures, and highlights ways citizens can get the most out of development plans and proposals without eliminating smart growth goals.

CD signup! Smart Growth Shareware (2005) On a single CD-ROM, the Shareware compiles over 100 publications, fact sheets, presentations, images, weblinks, and suggested reading. Resources are organized in a user-friendly format by various cross-searchable topics.

2004 National Poll by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America The 2004 national survey of consumer preferences found that there is a growing, and largely unmet, demand from for mixed use, walkable neighborhoods, convenient to schools and offices. However, the demand for walkable communities, shorter commutes, and broader choices in homes, neighborhoods and transportation.

Paving Our Way to Water Shortages (2002) American Rivers, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and SGA collaborated to analyze the effects of sprawl on our water supplies, especially in light of 2002’s drought conditions. Impervious surfaces not only increase polluted runoff, but also impair aquifer and surface water recharge. The report discusses sprawl’s impact on water quality and quantity through an ever-increasing amount of paved surfaces.

Greetings from Smart Growth America Our introductory brochure. The booklet discusses Americans’ desires and feelings about growth and development, illustrates smart-growth principles, and presents real-life examples for citizens and officials, in the private sector and at every level of government, who wish to help their communities get better as the grow.

National Survey on Growth and Land Development (2000) This presents results from a nationwide survey on attitudes regarding transportation, land development, and smart growth policies, and perceptions about the public officials in charge of implementation.

The Science of Smart Growth (2000) Over the past several years, citizens nationwide have passed hundreds of ballot initiatives supporting land preservation, park improvements, community reinvestment, public transit and other measures to curb sprawl. To obtain a copy of this December 2000 Scientific American feature article by Don Chen, please contact Communications Associate Steve Davis for a copy at sdavis [at] smartgrowthamerica.org