How does New Urbanism differ from smart growth in its approach to community development?

While both New Urbanism and smart growth serve as alternatives to urban sprawl, they differ primarily in their scope and primary focus.

Smart growth functions as a broad management strategy designed to direct the overall growth of urban areas. It emphasizes policy-driven goals, such as the use of urban growth boundaries to contain development, encourage mass transit, and preserve open spaces.1

In contrast, New Urbanism focuses specifically on the physical design of communities. Its primary objective is to create livable, walkable neighborhoods through intentional architectural and spatial planning.1

Despite these differences, the two approaches are closely linked. The principles of smart growth often incorporate elements of New Urbanism, as both strategies aim to foster economic growth while enhancing the quality of life for residents and mitigating the negative environmental and social costs associated with sprawling development.1