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Student Handout:  Smart Growth Background
 
In the past fifty years, many regions in Maryland placed demands on state and local government to extend growth outward from areas already developed. This has involved building new and bigger roads, schools, sewage and water treatment plants, and providing for more fire and police protection. This sprawl has affected communication as well as transportation. The regions of Maryland have all been affected by this outward thrust, although the effects are as varied as the regions. Smart Growth Logo
   
 

This growing migration from established neighborhoods in turn has left cities in decline while devouring Maryland’s open space. To provide a better future for all the citizens, the State of Maryland (Governor Parris N. Glendening and the General Assembly) instituted Smart Growth initiatives in 1997. These initiatives build on previous efforts to promote growth while preserving and protecting valuable natural and cultural resources.

An additional factor affecting Maryland is that the population is projected to grow from five million to six million over this next twenty years.
 
Smart Growth has three straightforward goals:
  • To save our most valuable remaining natural resources before they are forever lost
  • To support existing communities and neighborhoods by targeting state resources to support development in areas where the infrastructure is already in place
  • To save taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary costs for building the infrastructure required to support sprawl.

Before photo of Baltimore's Can Company

After photo of Baltimore's Can Company

 

 
 
Smart Growth is being carried out by local governments with assistance from the Maryland Office of Smart Growth and the Maryland Department of Planning. Development problems in different regions vary widely, but the goals of Smart Growth can help guide the different areas. For example, in Western Maryland or on the Eastern Shore, the issue might be realigning a highway segment. This action addresses concerns about safety, traffic, congestion and economic development in the area. In a suburban county, the issue may be a company wanting to build its headquarters in an area containing no commercial development and no infrastructure to support new development. In Baltimore City, the issue might be how to revive a brownfield (one that may contain hazardous materials) and to encourage renewed development nearby. 
 
 

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