Strengthening the connection between transportation and land use

Smart growth, a resounding issue throughout the country, encompasses a holistic view of development and is rooted in many issues in addition to transportation. Some of these other issues include community development, housing, land development, open-space preservation, environmental quality, and historic preservation. From a transportation perspective, smart growth includes the building of walkable communities and providing a variety of transportation choices so that residents have alternatives to the single-occupant motor vehicle to get from one place to another. All of these factors neccesitate collaborative work among transportation professionals, environmentalists, conservationists, developers, other stakeholders, and the public towards building sound communities. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has various programs and initiatives that aid in meeting smart growth and community livability goals.