How Practical Is Smart Growth?

Smart Growth, which has been much in the news lately, promises many answers to the problems that face planners today. But like the equally trendy New Urbanism, it is an intellectual solution, not necessarily a practical one—and not necessarily a new one. In reality, smart growth only slows growth, while New Urbanism simply makes increased density more enjoyable. Carson is the community development director of Clark County in Vancouver, Washington, and the former planning director of Metro, the Portland, Oregon, regional agency.