EPA Participation in the Smart Growth Network
The Smart Growth Network is a national alliance of advocates, practitioners, policy makers and local leaders working towards a shared vision for land use and infrastructure policies and actions that result in healthy, sustainable, equitable, and prosperous communities for all.
EPA was one of the founding partners of the SGN when it was created in 1996 and continues to play a leadership role by supporting the SGN Steering Committee in the development of activities, such as in-person convenings, quarterly discussions, webinars, and sharing of resources across the SGN.
- Join the Smart Growth Network
- Convenings and Discussions
- Webinar Series
- Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network
- Contact Us
Join the Smart Growth Network
All organizations working on topics related to smart growth are welcome to join the Smart Growth Network. There is no formal agreement required. The network asks for your participation, curiosity and collaboration. In particular, the Smart Growth Network focuses on topics through a smart growth lens, and organizations working at the intersections of smart growth issues are encouraged to participate.
The SGN Steering Committee is a self-selected leadership group that shapes vision and programming. Any SGN member can self-nominate to join the Steering Committee. Requests are reviewed by current Steering Committee members.
Convenings and Discussions
On a quarterly basis, the SGN convenes to discuss topics of importance, emerging issues and/or innovative smart growth solutions. Typically, these discussions allow the audience to hear from leaders and practitioners in the field and to discuss what they've learned and how it applies to their own work.
EPA has helped to coordinate the following recent meetings and quarterly discussions:
- December 2024: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Strategies to Boost the Supply and Improve the Quality of Affordable, Resilient Housing, hosted by the National Association of Realtors
- September 2024: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Applying Smart Growth Principles in Rural Communities, hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts.
- July 2024: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Resilience to Extreme Heat, hosted by Smart Growth America.
- March 2024: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Capacity Building and Collaboration, hosted by the EPA.
- December 2023: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Zoning, hosted by the Urban Land Institute.
- September 2023: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Capacity Building, hosted by the Georgetown Climate Center.
- June 2023: Quarterly Discussion on the topic of Transportation, hosted by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.
- December 2022: Quarterly Discussion on the intersection of equity and smart growth, hosted by the National Association of Realtors®.
Webinar Series
The SGN co-sponsors webinars as part of the Maryland Department of Planning's Sustainable Growth Webinar Series. Webinars explore various smart growth strategies, policies and case studies at both national and local levels.
Upcoming webinar topics and opportunities to register can be found here.
The archive of past webinars can be accessed here.
Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network
The Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network is a national peer learning program to support local leaders in implementing plans prioritizing sustainability.
The program is offered as a project of the Smart Growth Network and will bring together two-person teams from up to 30 communities, each working toward the implementation of one specific local policy or action during the course of the program.
Participants will:
- Build their networks.
- Learn from national experts.
- Share their expertise and experiences.
- Move their community's priorities from plan to action.
The 9-month program supports local professionals through six virtual workshops, asynchronous networking and idea-sharing, one full-day concluding convening and optional SGN webinars and Quarterly Discussions throughout the year.
Contact Us
To learn more about upcoming gatherings, membership in the SGN or the Steering Committee, or for more information about EPA's work with the Smart Growth Network, please email EPA's Office of Community Revitalization at SmartGrowth@epa.gov.