Land Use and Development

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

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

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

Demand for walkable places remains high

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Over the weekend, the Washington Post published a story titled “Why so many Americans prefer sprawl to walkable neighborhoods.” If the headline doesn’t make you raise your eyebrow, then the author’s reasoning certainly will: Citing a recent survey from Pew, the article discusses why people may prefer sprawl (and the big houses and longer commutes … Continued

Land Use and Development Transportation

Smart Growth America joins YIMBY Caucus to tackle the housing crisis

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On November 21, Smart Growth America and LOCUS joined a diverse coalition of nonprofit organizations to support bipartisan members of the U.S. House of Representatives who launched the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) Caucus. Members of the YIMBY Caucus are brought together by their commitment to advance policies that address the housing access crisis. SGA … Continued

Advocacy Land Use and Development
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