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The rapidly growing population growth of
the United States, which recently surpassed 300 million, will require
America’s cities and towns to get smarter about planning and
development.
Long-range plans will be needed to minimize
traffic congestion and damage to the environment while preserving open
spaces and creating more affordable housing and transportation options.
That's why the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® has launched a free resource guide at REALTOR.org to help
real estate practitioners become more knowledgeable and involved in
local smart growth initiatives.
The guide, Smart Growth: A Toolkit for REALTORS®,
address all aspects of smart growth planning and development. The
ultimate goal is to arm members and their local and state REALTOR®
associations with the information and tools they need to address local
issues and help make development decisions.
As advocates for smart growth issues in
their community, real estate practitioners can help ensure ample
homeownership opportunities, efficient transportation, quality schools,
and open space, says NAR President Pat Vredevoogd Combs of Grand
Rapids, Mich.
“REALTORS® are helping to build healthy and
strong communities across the nation,” says Combs, vice president of
Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt. “As business people and members of the
community, REALTORS® share the same concerns as their neighbors that
our towns and cities grow and prosper over the long term.”
The toolkit includes an overview of the
issue and its importance to REALTORS®; the principles, origins and
trends of smart growth; smart growth planning, regulation and policies;
tips on how to get more involved in smart growth; and resources
including case studies and model legislation.
The guide shares smart growth success stories of individual REALTORS® and associations all across the country.
“Smart growth is a local issue. Every
community has different challenges and priorities and the people best
able to define those needs are the people and businesses who call it
home,” said Combs.
For more information on smart growth issues, visit REALTOR.org/smartgrowth or download the toolkit (4M PDF file) from REALTOR.org.
— REALTOR® Magazine Online
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