Resource Database

The American Planning Association's (APA) policy guides represent the collective thinking of our members on positions of both principle and practice. They represent APA's official position on issues central to building communities of lasting value. Topics include: Climate Change, Energy, Hazard Mitigation, Sustainability, Housing, and more.

The EPA sponsors a smart growth resources page dedicated to small towns and rural community growth strategies.The page provides links to technical Assistance Programs, technical assistance reports, and webinars.

This resource includes: "Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities" report, which focuses on smart growth strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving the rural character of existing communities; Asset-Based Economic Development Resources; Podcasts and webinars.

Plannersweb.com provides resources and articles to meet the needs of citizen planners by providing useful, jargon-free, information

Smart Growth America advocates for people who want to live and work in great neighborhoods. Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. Smart Growth America provides many difference resources including community toolkits, programs, webinars, and trainings related to Smart Growth design.

Smart Growth America's Rural Development program is designed to help local leaders strengthen rural economies through a smart growth approach to development. This program is designed to give rural residents and leaders better information about the financial and economic impacts of development choices. The program includes information specific to implementing Smart Growth techniques via including community toolkits, programs, webinars, and trainings.

Provides policy options that can help rural communities strengthen their economies while preserving rural character. Topics include fiscal impact analysis, commercial development, wastewater infrastructure, rural roads, and efficient development patterns.

This is a step-by-step guide to building a place-based economic development strategy. It is intended for small and mid-sized cities, particularly those that have limited population growth, areas of disinvestment, and/or a struggling economy.

Includes case studies of small towns and cities that emphasized their existing assets and distinctive resources to build their economies.

EPA and the International City/County Management Association (2010): Focuses on smart growth strategies to meet three main goals: support the rural landscape by keeping working lands viable and conserving natural lands; help existing places thrive by taking care of investments and assets; and create great new places by building lively and enduring neighborhoods where people want to live.