The urban design requirements of smart growth

This chapter lays out the urban design principles of smart growth: the fostering of distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place. Normatively, this often translates to an emphasis on walkability, compactness, and diversity. While these principles are relatively straightforward, implementation has often been only partially realized, creating an additional layer of complexity. The application of principles requires constant nuancing of how principles should be implemented, particularly by being sensitive to locational context. In addition, urban design requires imposing a realistic frame around what can be expected and being sensitive to social goals and process-oriented concerns. Finally, I summarize the evidence that urban design principles conducive to smart growth offer tangible benefits and what progress has been made so far, and conclude with some thoughts about urban design as a future endeavor, especially as it relates to the current pandemic and calls for urban social justice.