In general, smart growth is defined around a list of ten principles. These include:

 

• Provide a variety of transportation choices.

• Mix land uses.

• Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.

• Create walkable neighborhoods.

• Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration.

• Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.

• Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective.

• Preserve open space, recreation areas, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas.

• Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities.

• Adopt compact building patterns and efficient infrastructure design.