Smart, sustainable growth enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and is financially responsible.

We can leave a positive legacy for future generations by building our neighbourhoods and cities according to these principles:

1. Each community is complete
   In complete communities, people can live, shop, play and even work close to home. Land and infrastructure (like roads and sewer lines) are used efficiently.  A mix of uses in a neighbourhood results in housing and transportation choices, a strong property tax base, and vibrant places.
    
2. Options to the car are emphasized
   When there are choices for getting around, people can choose to walk, cycle, and take transit.  Healthy options like walking and cycling are convenient and attractive.  With lots of nearby people and jobs, transit is viable.  Youth, seniors, and people with disabilities can be independent.  Congestion, pollution, and the impacts of rising fuel prices are reduced.
    
3. Work in harmony with natural systems
   Development can respect, maintain, and restore the natural functioning of the landscape (especially river systems and other special habitats). Development can cost less by using resources like water and energy more efficiently, and can preserve the environment for future generations to enjoy. 
    
4. Buildings and infrastructure are greener, smarter, and cheaper
   Compared to typical development, buildings and infrastructure (like roads and energy systems) can reduce their impact to the environment.  At the same time, greener buildings and infrastructure cost much less over the long term to municipalities, residents, and businesses.
    
5. Housing meets the needs of the whole community
   A variety of housing provides affordable and attractive choices for all the people who make up a community, like families, empty nesters, single parent families, childless couples, seniors on fixed income, and recent graduates.  Housing choices allow residents to live in a community throughout their life, and lets people choose to live near their work, school, or other amenity. 
    
6. Jobs are close to home
   Growth in compact, complete neighbourhoods makes the best use of existing infrastructure and creates a strong, stable property tax base.  The cost to build, maintain, and eventually replace new infrastructure is minimized. Many residents can find work close to home, and local businesses are supported by nearby consumers.
    
7. The spirit of each community is honoured
   Smart Growth on the Ground communities have a strong local identity and build on existing assets. Vibrant neighbourhood and town centres draw people together, allow residents to find work, shopping, and other activities close to home, and provide a population base to support local businesses and transit (this principle was made more specific in Greater Oliver).
    
8. Everyone has a voice
   Smart Growth on the Ground communities belong to those who live, work, and play there. Community members are engaged early and continuously in planning, design and development.  This ensures that new growth responds to local needs and makes the community a better place.

These principles are very broad statements. Different strategies can be used in each community to make these principles work.

For example, to "ensure that housing meets the needs of the whole community," people in one town may encourage new basement suites, while people in another town may allow new high rises. 

In each Smart Growth on the Ground community, the specific actions that bring about each principle are determined during the workshops and charrette.