Smart Growth creates community quality-of-life. And
community quality-of-life has become an engine that
drives economic development in the Innovation Economy
– a high-tech, knowledge-based economy that thrives on
innovative solutions in an increasingly competitive global
market-place.
Market trends, demographic shifts and economic
indicators
favor the types of communities that Smart Growth builds.
For example, the young “Knowledge Workers,” who
fuel
the Innovation Economy, are choosing to live in interesting,
attractive places with access to outdoor recreation and vibrant
downtowns. At the same time, businesses are using
quality-of-life factors in deciding where to locate.
Smart
Growth also promotes regional planning and intermunicipal
collaboration. Many towns and cities are fi nding
it harder to compete on their own in an increasingly global
and competitive market; in fact, economists are saying
that the region has become the primary unit of economic
competitiveness in the Innovation Economy. In this regard,
Smart Growth will help New York remain economically
competitive in the 21st Century. |
