Benefits of Compact, Mixed Use Development

This report from Smart Growth America looked at 17 case studies of U.S. cities, counties, and states in order to calculate a national average for cost savings due to compact development. It found that smart growth results in 66% of the upfront infrastructure costs for development, 10 times the tax revenue per acre, and 10% fiscal savings on ongoing service delivery costs as compared to conventional suburban development. The studies reviewed covered a variety of areas and scales, and how differences in smart growth measurements were reconciled is unclear.