Sustainable community development means that when we design and build the places we live, we consider the impact of our decisions:

 …in environmental, social, and economic terms
 …over the long term
 …as part of a system in which buildings, neighbourhoods, and towns are all related to each other and the ecosystem

Smart growth applies the concepts of sustainability to land use, urban design, and planning.  We must ensure that buildings, neighbourhoods and regions are more sustainable.  By doing so, we can:

• Absorb new population growth in a positive way
• Use resources – like land, water, and energy – wisely
• Provide active transportation choices that can improve our health
• Provide housing choices to suit an aging and changing population
• Ensure that our children can afford the infrastructure we are building today
• Reduce our impacts on the environment and our pocketbooks
• Maintain agricultural lands for employment and food security
• Enhance the unique identity of places
• Give citizens an effective voice in the future of their community

More and more people are rising to the challenge and providing more sustainable community development.  Elected officials of all stripes, development professionals (like architects, planners, landscape architects and engineers), developers, and citizens are all looking for better ways to build our communities.

Smart Growth on the Ground is helping BC communities to make it happen.  Learn more>>>