Land Use
Smart Growth Leadership Recognition Program
The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) and the American Institute of Architects Central Valley Chapter (AIA-CV) have developed the Smart Growth Leadership Recognition Program to promote healthier, more equitable, and more environmentally sound developments in our region. Developers submit their project plans to a joint committee for consideration for possible endorsement. The joint ECOS / AIA-CV committee does a comprehensive and holistic review of submitted projects based on criteria outlined in the Program Guidelines document below.
Endorsed Projects
Growing Up Not Out
What is "smart growth"? What is "sprawl"?
Sprawl is inefficient, dispersed development: segregated land uses; car dependence; paved over open space and farms; increased costs for governments, businesses and families; negative impacts on health (respiratory, obesity, stress).
Smart growth is well-planned development: mixed, efficient land uses and transportation options; well-defined and safe communities separated by open space and farms; cost-savings for governments, businesses and families; healthy, active, relaxed people.
The fundamental goal of this program is to reduce the spread of suburban sprawl development by encouraging and supporting developers to do true smart growth. By encouraging walk-able, close-knit neighborhoods in areas that have already experienced development (as opposed to completely undeveloped land), we can preserve our last remaining open spaces, accommodate substantial additional population growth, and actually revitalize and enhance our communities.
If you are a developer, ECOS and AIA-CV strongly encourage you to submit your development proposals to our program for review and potential endorsement and support.
For more information, see our Program Guidelines or contact our office (info@ecosacramento.net or 916-444-0022).
These documents are in Acrobat PDF format.
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