The residents and communities of southeastern Massachusetts benefit from the growth generated by a vital economy. With this growth comes new jobs, opportunities for advancement, and economic security that support a high quality of life. But to prosper, southeastern Massachusetts needs to better manage this growth. Unmanaged growth can erode the region's competitiveness, damage unique environmental features, and squander limited natural resources. Smart Growth rests on the efficient use of resources. In contrast to prevalent development practices, Smart Growth refocuses a larger share of regional growth within central cities, urbanized areas, inner suburbs, and areas that are already served by infrastructure. Smart Growth reduces the share of growth that occurs on newly urbanizing land, existing farmlands, and in environmentally sensitive areas. In areas with intense growth pressure, development in newly urbanizing areas should be planned and developed with special consideration of the Smart Growth principles below.

Encourage growth in areas with existing and underutilized infrastructure.
Mix compatible land uses.
Build compactly.
Provide a range of housing opportunities.
Present a strong sense of place.
Coordinate public investment, and find a fair and broad-based way to fund infrastructure and municipal services.
Preserve open space, critical environmental areas, farmland, and places of natural beauty.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective.