This Is Smart Growth Released

September 12, 2006: Today, The Trust for Public Land joined ICMA and the Smart Growth Network in releasing This Is Smart Growth. This new publication illustrates how communities can turn their visions, values, and aspirations into reality, using smart growth techniques to improve the quality of development. Thirty-two national organizations — representing parks creation and open space conservation, housing, environmental, community design and development, public health, transportation, local government, and other interests — have approved This Is Smart Growth.

“As TPL works with cities and counties around the country to help them create and strengthen their land conservation programs, TISG provides tangible examples of how communities are using land conservation as a smart growth tool to protect their quality of life,” said Kathy Blaha, TPL Director of Conservation Vision.

This Is Smart Growth describes how, when done well, development can help create more economic opportunities, build great places where people want to live and visit, preserve the qualities people love about their communities, and protect environmental resources. Many people want to know what smart growth looks like; This Is Smart Growth illustrates and explains smart growth concepts and outcomes.

This is Smart Growth is available electronically at www.smartgrowth.org.

The publication features 40 places around the country, from cities to suburbs to small towns to rural communities, where good development and growth policies have improved residents’ quality of life. Photos illustrate how these communities have invested taxpayer money wisely, offered people more choices in housing and transportation, protected natural and working lands, promoted healthy environments, created a lasting legacy for the community, and achieved other shared goals.

Development and publication of This is Smart Growth was funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and ICMA. Free copies are available from the EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or via e-mail at ncepimal@one.net. Ask for publication number 231-K-06-002.

ICMA is joined by the following thirty-one Smart Growth Network partners in releasing This is Smart Growth:

American Farmland Trust ? American Institute of Architects, Center for Communities by Design ? American Planning Association ? Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations ? Center for Neighborhood Technology ? Congress for the New Urbanism ? Enterprise ? Environmental Law Institute ? Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities ? Institute of Transportation Engineers ? Local Government Commission ? Local Initiatives Support Corporation ? NACo Center for Sustainable Communities ? National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals ? National Association of Realtors ? National Multi-Housing Council ? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ? National Trust for Historic Preservation ? Natural Resources Defense Council ? Northeast-Midwest Institute ? Rails to Trails Conservancy ? Scenic America ? Smart Growth America ? State of Maryland ? Surface Transportation Policy Project ? Sustainable Communities Network ? The Conservation Fund ? The Trust for Public Land ? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ? Urban Land Institute ? Virginia Tech Metropolitan Institute and Urban Affairs & Planning Program

About The Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land, established in 1972, specializes in conservation real estate, applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law to protect land for people to enjoy as parks, greenways, community gardens, urban playgrounds, and wilderness. TPL depends on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations. For more information, visit TPL on the web at www.tpl.org.

About ICMA

ICMA is the premier local government leadership and management organization. ICMA’s mission is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide. Toward this end, the Association provides an information clearinghouse, technical assistance, and training and professional development to more than 8,400 chief appointed administrators, assistant administrators, and other individuals throughout the world. The organization’s resources and services reach thousands of local, county, and state government professionals, academics, consultants, citizens, and other individuals with an interest in effective management at the local government level.

About the Smart Growth Network

The Smart Growth Network (SGN) is a partnership of more than 30 private, public, and non-governmental organizations seeking to improve development practices in neighborhoods, communities, and regions across the United States. The network was formed in response to increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow that boost the economy, protect the environment and public health, and enhance community vitality. SGN partners include environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional associations, developers, real estate interests, and local and state government entities.

For more information about SGN and its partners, visit www.smartgrowth.org.