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Who We Are
In recent years, smart growth has gained national attention as a solution to the challenges associated with growth. Successful smart growth initiatives have relied on a simple but powerful formula based on collaboration. Here in the National Capital Region, seven distinct organizations representing business, development, civic, and environmental interests that often sit on opposite sides of table when it comes to growth issues, have elected to put aside their differences and work together on common goals for smart growth. Together, these organizations create a unique partnership for success - the Smart Growth Alliance.
Vision
By 2030 the Washington region is expected to grow by 2 million new people and over 1.6 million new jobs. To ensure that the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the region are maintained and improved while it grows, Alliance members have agreed that the regions unique economic, cultural, community and environmental assets must be protected. This will require all interests — government, business, civic, and environmental — to work collaboratively to develop policies and practices that ensure that every new resident and every new job enhances, rather than detracts from, the region's quality of life. If this can be achieved, the region will meet its broad economic objectives, while enhancing the environment and preserving the character and culture of its communities.
Mission
The mission of the Alliance is to research, identify, and encourage land use development and transportation policies and practices that support smart growth in the Washington region.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Alliance is to enhance regional collaboration; encourage mixed-use, pedestrian- and transit-oriented development projects; promote housing and transportation choices for a range of incomes throughout the region, particularly infill situations; and respect and conserve significant environmental, cultural, and recreational resources. To achieve that goal, the Alliance established the following objectives to guide its work program:
- Conduct education and outreach programs to inform and elevate the smart growth dialogue at the regional, community and neighborhood levels.
- Compile and communicate growth and development trends and their impact on economic, environmental and equity resources and interests.
- Identify barriers and incentives, collect best practice case studies, and develop strategies to improve policy decisions that advance smart growth in the region.
- Develop and implement a recognition program for proposed development projects that reflect the core characteristics of smart growth.
- Develop and implement a program to promote regional conservation initiatives that will contribute most to more sustainable development patterns and our regional quality of life in the future.
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