The Pros And Cons Of Smart Growth

With the increase in population, air pollution, and noise, many people move out of crowded cities to live in surrounding areas. Suburban sprawl which focuses on low-population-density developments has become a popular method of urbanization in many countries. However, Massachusetts adopts a different way of urban development named smart growth which focuses on “compact, walkable, mixed use, and transit-oriented urban development” (Flint 21). Instead of spreading out, it focuses on improving existing communities and cluster development. Flint describes smart growth in Massachusetts in the article “Smart Growth”. In order to encourage smart growth, the Smart Growth Zoning and Housing Production Act was passed in 2004 to offer funds for cities and towns which established districts with high-density population, mixed use land, and infill development. Suburban sprawl can cause lots of negative impacts while smart growth
According to Anthony Flint, some administration officials in Massachusetts tend to give in to sprawl because the state needs jobs and growth (24). They are likely to give the green light to developers in the suburbs in order to attract investment and create jobs. In fact, smart growth can also create job opportunities. Smart growth enables people to live, work, and entertain in the same neighborhood. More people are willing to live in such neighborhoods. Therefore, mixed-use development can attract residents and businesses. In 2010, Biogen, a large biotechnology company, moved from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to a suburban area in Weston, but it moved back in 2014 (Zimmerman). Locating in walkable downtown has many advantages. For example, locating downtown can attract and retain excellent employees and move closer to customers. Locating in vibrant and walkable communities has become a competitive advantage of companies when they hire employees, build brand identity, and compete with