Extension - Sustainable Land Use
Smart Growth

As development "sprawls" into rural areas, land is being consumed at a rapid pace. In many communities the rate of development far exceeds the rate of population growth. Sprawl is "poorly planned development" in which natural and agricultural areas are transformed into low density residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and business parks; abandoning the established infrastructure of cities. Smart growth is a means of combating this excessive consumption of land.

Smart growth, development that serves the economy, the community, and the environment, does not imply no growth, it simply strives to answer the question of "how and where should new development occur."

Pennsylvania Sea Grant staff work with municipalities and watershed organizations in the Lake Erie watershed to promote smart growth in our coastal communities. To find out more about smart growth view the Smart Growth fact sheet or contact David Skellie.