• Smart Growth Recognition Program
  • Recognized Smart Growth Projects
  • Smart Growth Criteria
  • Required Application Materials

  • Conservation Program Overview
  • Download the Nomination Form
  • Download the reports:
  • 2009 Report
  • 2008 Report
  • 2007 Report
  • 2006 Report


  • Barriers & Incentives to Transit-      Oriented Development (TOD)


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  • Alliance Financial Sponsors
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  • Alliance News & Press Release Archive

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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.

    Allliance News

    Highlights


    2009 Conservation

    Priorities Named

    December 14, 2009

    At a well-attended press conference held today at the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Conservation Jury announced the 2009 Conservation Priorities List! The selected projects include:

    • D.C.'s Marvin Gaye Park
    • South River Greenway near Annapolis
    • Alexandria's "Green Crescent"
    • Maryland's Patuxent Greenway
    • The "Greening of Tysons" in Fairfax County Virginia

    Read the release or

    download the publication.