Lesson 13: What is Smart Growth?

Lesson 13: What is Smart Growth?

Objectives:

Students will be able to: Practice planning for the development of an area using the goals of Smart Growth as a guide Students will analyze how regions can affect government policies.

Core Learning Goal:

Social Studies: Goal 3 - Geography: The student will demonstrate an understanding of geographic concepts and processes to examine the role of culture, technology, and the environment in the location and distribution of human activities throughout history.

Expectation: 3.1 - The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of cultural and physical geographic factors in the development of government policy.

Indicator 3.1.3 -The student will analyze the roles and relationships of regions on the formation and implementation of government policy.

Materials/Resources:

Background:

Smart Growth, a phrase coined in Maryland by Governor Parris N. Glendening, is now a common term used nationwide to describe the desire and strategy to accommodate new growth and development in the most suitable areas while protecting our most vital natural resources. Since 1997, with the passage of the Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation initiative, Maryland has led the nation in this endeavor. Maryland’s efforts were recognized by Harvard University in 2000 as one of the ten most innovative governmental programs in the country. The concept of Smart Growth embodies the following ten principles:

Mix of land uses;
Takes advantage of existing community assets;
Creates a range of housing opportunities and choices;
Fosters "walkable," close-knit neighborhoods
Promotes distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place, including the rehabilitation and use of historic buildings;
Preserves open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas;
Strengthens and encourage growth in existing communities;
Provides a variety of transportation choices;
Makes development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective; and
Encourages citizen and stakeholder participation in development decisions

For more information on Maryland’s Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation initiative see the Student Handout "Smart Growth Background" attached.

Activity: Growing Smarter

Discuss a local situation (a new road, a new business, a new development, mass transit) that has affected the local community. Ask students to consider both the positive and negative impacts.
Introduce the goals of Smart Growth by distributing the student handout "Smart Growth Background," or by reviewing the ten principles outlined above.
Divide students into groups and explain that they will be role-playing citizens who will recommend how an area should be developed following principles of Smart Growth. Distribute the handout Cooperative Group Assignment and review the directions for developing a recommendation.
Have each group present their plan. They should justify and support their choices. Conclude by discussing the pros/cons of Smart Growth.

Assessment/Evaluation:

Have students answer this Brief Constricted Response item:

Should some regions be exempt from Maryland’s Smart Growth Initiatives? Why or why not?
Do you agree or disagree with these counties? Explain.

Include details and examples to support your answers.

Use the Social Studies Rubric to score students responses.

Contents | What is Smart Growth? | Smart Growth Slide Show
Student Handout: Smart Growth Background
Student Handout: Cooperative Group Assignment
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