PHILOSOPHY - WHAT IS “SMART GROWTH”?

What is “smart growth,” and why is the Developers Collaborative committed to it?

As we see it, any development that helps bring about a higher quality of life for residents and workers is “smart growth”. We also believe that our towns and cities should be attractive, accessible, safe, and affordable places for everyone.

Towards these ends, we believe in creating developments that revitalize town centers and cities, not only by providing new space for new residents and businesses, but also by guiding private investment into the communities where people already live. Smart growth should also reduce the surrounding community's tax burden by using existing public infrastructure as effectively as possible. And our focus on mixed uses and compact development also helps reduce traffic by keeping trips short and offering residents options other than driving. Finally, by focusing development in our town, village, and city centers, we can help preserve rural areas and open space nearby from unattractive sprawl-style developments.

While these are general principles, we also understand that “smart growth” will mean different things to different communities, based on different local needs and visions for the future. Because of this, the core of our philosophy relies on communication and engagement with a community to plan and build our developments. Our approach allows the community to define “smart growth” on their own terms, and become collaborative partners in our efforts to build better places.