Compact Development

Compact development is in some respects related to redevelopment. In recent years the USEPA has begun to promote compact development as a means of protecting water resources, referencing ten principles:

1. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
2. Create walkable neighborhoods
3. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration
4. Foster distinctive, attractive places with a strong sense of place
5. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
6. Mix land use
7. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
8. Provide a variety of Transportation choices of smart growth
9. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities
10. Take advantage of compact building design

These principles all have an effect on stormwater management. The USEPA states that smart growth can decrease the amount of impervious surfaces, improve stormwater detention, protect environmentally sensitive areas, increase transit accessibility, and promote pedestrian and bicycle Transportation. Smart growth also encourages growth in areas where urban development has already taken place. This protects unimpaired streams that have not yet experienced urbanization. The USEPA also states that smart growth can protect water quality through compact development and open space preservation. More information can be found on the USEPA's Smart Growth website (Smart Growth).