Examples of Smart Growth in Massachusetts

Because each community has developed in its own way over time, Smart Growth must work with each town's unique characteristics. Below are examples of Massachusetts towns that reflect Smart Growth.





Arlington
Housing in town centers is easier to service than outlying housing both in terms of infrastructure and also in terms of transit.

Arlington
This infill housing is on a side street within a quarter of a mile from the center, a distance people walk comfortably.

Amherst
This housing was built on a former farm. Because of the dense siting, the farm land and farming activity remain. The higher density also brings down the per unit cost of housing.



Holyoke
A new town is created within an old industrial city.

Canton
By mixing housing and commercial uses in the same structure as with these apartments over a store, the area gains a 24-hour use and downtown residents can commute by walking to a nearby train station.

For information on how Places can help your town use Smart Growth, go to the Services page. For the State of Massachusetts' pdf list of Smart Growth principles (which they call Sustainable Development Principles), click here.