Voters across America show support for more transportation options
Throughout the United States, various measures for funding transportation improvements were approved, advancing efforts to invest in the rest at the local level.
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How local ballot measures delivered wins for housing & climate
Local election results send a clear message: housing and the environment are priorities for voters across the country in diverse political climates. In this post, we delve into the key affordable housing, residential displacement, and climate resiliency measures that were passed in state, county, and local elections.
How smart growth helps communities thrive
This moment, like after every election cycle, is one of both challenges and opportunities. No matter what lies ahead, we’ll be there to meet the moment, embody our priorities, and live up to our values. More than that, SGA stands ready to do what we have done for more than 20 years: support communities, primarily … Continued
Our path forward from the 2024 elections
As the dust from this election cycle settles, it is more apparent than ever that communities are facing increasingly severe and compounding challenges. Economic inequities and the financial pressures tied to the needs of daily life are squeezing communities of every shape, size, and geographic location—and housing and transportation costs are clear contributors to these burdens.
Fueling the crisis: New report finds more money leads to more emissions
Transportation for America’s latest report highlights the need for fiscal responsibility to meet the country’s transportation goals.
A path forward in Florida: Resilience to flooding and economic growth
As part of our Climate & Land Use Technical Assistance Program, we worked with Florida-based community organization, Incubate Neighborhood Center (INC), to raise awareness about the ways that climate change is impacting their community’s infrastructure, insurance rates, and economic opportunity. In this video, business owners, government officials, and regional resilience partners talk about how flooding … Continued
How historic land use policies lead to flooding disasters in communities of color
Discriminatory land use policies, like urban renewal, restrictive lending, Euclidean zoning, and redlining, sabotaged wealth-building in Black and Brown communities, entrenched racial segregation, and institutionalized disinvestment in communities of color across the U.S. These inequities leave many Americans more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, meaning that increased flooding disproportionately impacts communities of color … Continued
Looking for policies for our Best Complete Streets Policies report
The National Complete Streets Coalition is gearing up for their 2025 Best Complete Streets Policies report. This report will recognize communities across the country that are working to make their streets safer, healthier, and more equitable. It will also provide guidance and good practices for other communities that would like to adopt or strengthen their … Continued
Applications are open for the 2025 Champions Institute
Smart growth strategies help towns and cities across the country become healthier while improving resiliency and sustainability. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative, Smart Growth America’s Champions Institute provides mayors, city councilors, tribal chairpeople and councilors, and other local elected officials with knowledge and resources to … Continued
The US could catch up to an international safety standard, but bold action is still needed
While the number of people hit and killed while walking is declining across the world, the US is the only developed nation with an increasing number of pedestrian deaths year after year. In 2022, 7,522 people were hit and killed while walking. Now, we’re trying to play catch up by adopting a decades-old UN rule that falls short of necessary common-sense pedestrian safety measures.