From Wikipedia: "Smart growth is an urban planning and transportation theory that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban sprawl; and advocates compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly land use, including neighborhood schools, complete streets, mixed-use development with a range of housing choices.

Smart growth values long-range, regional considerations of sustainability over a short-term focus. Its goals are to achieve a unique sense of  community and place; expand the range of transportation, employment,  and housing choices; equitably distribute the costs and benefits of  development; preserve and enhance natural and cultural resources; and  promote public health."

To summarize, Smart Growth is building in the right place:

• where infrastructure already exists
• with an emphasis on mixed-use development
• with a variety of transportation choices
  

Additional Smart Growth resources:

• Coalition for Smarter Growth
• 23 Guiding Values for the Revitalization of Downtown Harrisonburg
• Urban Exchange - smart growth in downtown Harrisonburg