SMART GROWTH
INTRODUCTION
SMART GROWTH IS A WAY OF PLANNING AND BUILDING CITIES TO MAKE THEM BETTER
PLACES TO LIVE. IT FOCUSES ON CREATING NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE CLOSE-KNIT,
EASY TO GET AROUND, AND HAVE A MIX OF HOMES, SHOPS, AND PARKS. THIS IDEA
STARTED BECAUSE CITIES WERE SPREADING OUT TOO MUCH, CAUSING PROBLEMS LIKE
TRAFFIC JAMS, POLLUTION, AND LESS COMMUNITY SPIRIT. SMART GROWTH AIMS TO FIX
THESE ISSUES BY MAKING CITIES MORE EFFICIENT, ENJOYABLE, AND HEALTHY FOR
EVERYONE.
RELEVANCE AND HIGHLIGHTS
1. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: SMART GROWTH HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT BY
REDUCING THE SPREAD OF CITIES INTO NATURAL AREAS. BY BUILDING MORE HOMES
AND BUSINESSES IN SMALLER SPACES, WE CAN PROTECT FORESTS, FIELDS, AND OTHER
NATURAL PLACES. THIS ALSO MEANS LESS POLLUTION BECAUSE PEOPLE DRIVE LESS,
AND THERE'S MORE FOCUS ON WALKING, BIKING, AND USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
2. SAVING MONEY: BUILDING CITIES IN A SMART WAY SAVES MONEY FOR EVERYONE. IT
COSTS LESS TO PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND ROADS TO AREAS
THAT ARE CLOSER TOGETHER. BUSINESSES ALSO BENEFIT BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE LIVE
AND WORK IN THE SAME AREA, LEADING TO MORE CUSTOMERS AND A VIBRANT LOCAL
ECONOMY.
3. FAIRNESS FOR EVERYONE: SMART GROWTH MAKES SURE THAT ALL PEOPLE, NO
MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE, CAN LIVE IN NICE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH
GOOD SERVICES. IT MEANS BUILDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOMES SO THAT EVERYONE,
FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO THE WEALTHY, CAN FIND A PLACE TO LIVE. IT ALSO
ENSURES THAT SCHOOLS, PARKS, AND SHOPS ARE NEARBY AND ACCESSIBLE TO
EVERYONE.
4. BETTER TRANSPORTATION: ONE OF THE MAIN IDEAS OF SMART GROWTH IS TO MAKE
IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND WITHOUT NEEDING A CAR. THIS MEANS MORE
BUSES, TRAINS, BIKE PATHS, AND SIDEWALKS. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE MORE
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, THERE'S LESS TRAFFIC, LOWER TRANSPORTATION COSTS,
AND CLEANER AIR.
5. HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES: SMART GROWTH DESIGNS NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE
PEOPLE CAN WALK AND BIKE MORE. THIS HELPS PEOPLE STAY ACTIVE AND HEALTHY,
REDUCING PROBLEMS LIKE OBESITY AND HEART DISEASE. WITH PARKS AND
RECREATIONAL AREAS CLOSE BY, PEOPLE HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXERCISE AND
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.
6. STRONGER, SAFER COMMUNITIES: SMART GROWTH MAKES CITIES BETTER ABLE TO
HANDLE PROBLEMS LIKE NATURAL DISASTERS AND ECONOMIC CHANGES. BY BUILDING
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE CLOSE-KNIT AND WELL-CONNECTED, COMMUNITIES ARE
MORE RESILIENT AND CAN BOUNCE BACK FASTER FROM CHALLENGES.
7. BUILDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY: SMART GROWTH ENCOURAGES THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, SUCH AS PUBLIC SQUARES,
PARKS, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. THIS HELPS TO BUILD A SENSE OF COMMUNITY,
WHERE PEOPLE KNOW THEIR NEIGHBORS AND FEEL A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.
8. SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES: BY CREATING WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A
MIX OF SHOPS, OFFICES, AND HOMES, SMART GROWTH HELPS LOCAL BUSINESSES
THRIVE. PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO SHOP LOCALLY WHEN STORES ARE WITHIN
WALKING DISTANCE, WHICH BOOSTS THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND CREATES JOBS.
CONCLUSION
SMART GROWTH IS ABOUT PLANNING OUR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES TO BE BETTER
PLACES TO LIVE. IT HELPS PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, SAVES MONEY, ENSURES
FAIRNESS, IMPROVES TRANSPORTATION, PROMOTES HEALTH, BUILDS STRONG AND SAFE
COMMUNITIES, AND SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESSES. AS OUR CITIES GROW, ADOPTING
SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES WILL HELP CREATE A FUTURE WHERE EVERYONE CAN ENJOY
A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE IN VIBRANT, SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. SMART GROWTH
IS NOT JUST ABOUT BUILDING CITIES; IT'S ABOUT BUILDING BETTER LIVES FOR
EVERYONE.
ASPECT PATHOGENESIS APPROACH SALUTOGENESIS APPROACH
Typically features a more
Emphasizes open and flexible spaces
compartmentalized layout with distinct
that encourage movement and
areas for diagnosis, treatment, and
interaction among patients, families,
Spatial Organization recovery. This often includes separate
and staff. Areas are designed to be
zones for emergency services,
multifunctional, promoting social
intensive care, and outpatient
engagement and community activities
services
Focuses on a holistic patient journey,
Designed for efficiency in patient flow integrating spaces for relaxation and
with a focus on clinical pathways. The socialization alongside treatment
Patient Flow
layout often prioritizes quick access to areas. This encourages a smoother
medical equipment and personnel transition through different stages of
care
Maximizes natural light and
Limited access to natural light and
incorporates views of nature to
views of nature; often relies on
Natural Light & Views enhance well-being. Design elements
artificial lighting due to the functional
often include large windows, gardens,
needs of clinical environments
and outdoor spaces for relaxation
Prioritizes privacy and comfort with
Privacy is often secondary to
private or semi-private rooms
functionality; patient rooms may be
Privacy & Comfort designed for relaxation. Spaces are
shared or located near high-traffic
created to minimize noise and
areas to facilitate care delivery
enhance tranquility
Includes community-oriented spaces
Limited communal areas; focuses such as group therapy rooms,
Community Spaces primarily on clinical interactions rather wellness classes, and social lounges
than community engagement that foster a sense of belonging and
support
Design is aesthetically pleasing with
Aesthetics are often utilitarian,
an emphasis on creating a calming
focusing on cleanliness and
Design Considerations environment through color schemes,
functionality rather than comfort or
art, and materials that promote
emotional well-being
healing
