"Smart Growth" and FHWA
What does "Smart Growth" mean to the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA)?
The FHWA believes that "smart growth" is a concept best supported by
a set of policies and programs intended to protect and preserve valuable natural
and cultural resources. "Smart growth" also encourages economic development
in targeted locations. While transportation is not specifically mentioned in that
working definition, it is important to note that transportation affects land use
just like affordable housing, good schools, and low crime rates.
What does "smart growth mean for transportation?
It can mean:
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Establishing state and local land use strategies to increase population and
housing densities and make transit more viable,
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Managing and operating existing highway, transit, and other transportation
modes to maintain or improve performance for each mode without adversely affecting
neighborhoods or urban centers,
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Knitting transportation improvement projects and public/private investments
so that they merge as seamlessly as possible into the community,
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Supporting the provision of mixed use development so that transit, bicycle
and pedestrian facilities, and ferry boats are viable options to driving,
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Accommodating the flow of freight throughout the country so that the economy
can continue to grow.
It does not mean:
To see how FHWA programs can assist states, local governments, and others in
addressing smart growth and related issues, please go to
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