Blog

Understanding the fiscal impact of zoning and how smart growth solutions can foster fiscal responsibility

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As communities across the United States grapple with increasing economic pressures, the role of zoning is becoming even more critical in shaping not just the physical landscape but also the financial health of municipalities. Restrictive single-family zoning, in particular, has profound implications for infrastructure efficiency and fiscal budgets. The Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS), a … Continued

Land Use and Development Rural Development Zoning

Upcoming webinar: Advancing equity through planning

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Equity begins with people—because planning that doesn’t center people isn’t truly equitable. Join us on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST for “Advancing equity through planning,” a transformative webinar hosted by the Center for Zoning Solutions (CZS) and Smart Growth America. This session brings together experts and advocates to explore how … Continued

Events Land Use and Development Zoning

Counties for housing solutions: Building a path to affordable housing

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Over the course of 11 weeks, elected officials, planners, and local community-based organizations from six counties worked in partnership with Smart Growth America and the National Association of Counties (NACo) during our first Counties for Housing Solutions (C4HS) program. Through the program, participants from Guilford County, North Carolina; Harris County, Texas; Hidalgo County, Texas; Jackson … Continued

Economic development Land Use and Development Technical assistance

Celebrating progress: A closer look at our Community Connectors program

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Over the past year, our Community Connectors program has helped 15 teams from small and mid-sized cities advance locally driven projects to reconnect their communities that have been divided or harmed by transportation infrastructure. Our new video features some of the passionate planners, advocates, and city leaders leading these efforts. Hear from members of our … Continued

Advancing Racial Equity Economic development Technical assistance

Helping communities at every stage

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Transportation for America and Smart Growth America’s technical assistance services help communities at all different stages of their efforts to improve transportation in their communities. In a suite of projects funded by AARP this year in communities across the country, we helped partners work on policy, planning, advocacy education and relationship building.

Land Use and Development Transportation

2024 FBC Award Winner: Centering equity by prioritizing community needs

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The Center for Zoning Solutions, a new program of Smart Growth America, is thrilled to announce the winner of the 17th annual Form-Based Code Award! This year’s jury, a diverse group that included a code writer, a community development director, an architect, and two consulting planners, selected Kingston, New York’s Form-Based Code, for its exemplary … Continued

Economic development Form-Based Codes Land Use and Development Zoning

2025 Equity Summit Keynote Speaker: Jerusalem Demsas

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We’re thrilled to announce Jerusalem Demsas, staff writer at The Atlantic and thought leader on housing, urban policy, and economic equity, as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Equity Summit. Jerusalem is known for her ability to connect policy with real-world impact, and her writing deftly sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in creating … Continued

Advancing Racial Equity

Expanding resilient and affordable housing with the Smart Growth Network

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On December 7, the Smart Growth Network gathered at the offices of the National Association of REALTORS® to discuss one of the most pressing issues today: the shortage of housing across the country. At December’s quarterly meeting, the Network brought together experts to discuss how communities can expand the availability of high-quality, resilient, and affordable … Continued

Land Use and Development

Now hiring: Senior Manager, Advocacy

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Smart Growth America (SGA) is seeking a Senior Manager with 5-7 years of experience to advance policy solutions that will lead to more much-needed housing and mixed-use development in vibrant, well-connected locations. The Senior Manager will play a key role in SGA’s land use and real estate work by managing the advocacy work of LOCUS, … Continued

Advocacy Careers Land Use and Development LOCUS
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