Sustainable Communities

Smart growth is a pattern of land development that creates compact, walkable, transit-accessible communities with a range of affordable housing opportunities and choices. In Vermont, it builds on and maintains the state’s historic settlement pattern of higher-density downtown and village centers surrounded by farm, forest, and natural areas.

Using smart growth principles as a guide, VNRC promotes land use planning that creates communities that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and resilient. To do this, we ensure the continued strength and effectiveness of Act 250, Vermont’s landmark development review law, as well as complementary state policies that promote smart growth and reduce sprawl. And we support the state’s farming and forest economies to ensure long-term land availability and economic health.

For questions or inquiries:

Kati Gallagher, Sustainable Communities Program Director

802-223-2328 x114

kgallagher@vnrc.org

Sustainable Communities Graphic

Initiatives

Initiative Image 1

The Great Housing Hunt

Help find "Missing Middle Housing" in your community!

Read More
Initiative Image 2

Upcoming Sustainable Communities Events, Resources, and Opportunities

Learn more about upcoming opportunities to strengthen resilience and sustainability in your community

Read More
Initiative Image 3

Policy Position: The "HOME" Bill

Increasing housing choice and affordability in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers is a critical climate solution

Read More

Smart Growth News

Two Things: Recapping VNRC’s Annual Meeting & Inviting You to “Taking Action for the Next Climate Event in Vermont”

Two things: Sharing a recap of our 60th anniversary and annual meeting, and inviting you to an upcoming virtual event, “Taking Action for the Next Climate Event in Vermont.”  Stay…

Read more

Three Things: A New Staff Member, a Community Conversation in Johnson, and Transportation Demand Management Week!

Three things: Introducing our new VHCB Americorps Community Energy Coordinator, inviting you to a Community Conversation in Johnson, and celebrating Transportation Demand Management week! Stay informed, connected, and engaged—three things….

Read more

Three Things: Clean Water Community Conversations, VNRC’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, and the VT Designation 2050 Design Summit

Three things: Join us for some community conversations on clean water and climate resilience, RSVP for our 60th anniversary celebration and annual meeting, and consider attending the Designation 2050 Design…

Read more

Small Grants for Smart Growth

Need funding for a smart growth project?

Find out more

Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership

Honoring supporters of smart growth

Find out more
Transportation for Vermonters

Transportation for Vermonters

Transportation for Vermonters (T4VT) is a diverse coalition of individuals, organizations, businesses and institutions committed to working together, creatively, and across sectors to achieve a sustainable, accessible transportation system in a rural state. T4VT takes a research-based approach to identify and advocate for transportation programs and investments needed to improve air quality, health, economic vitality, and mobility, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Find out more.
Blog Preview

People, Places, and Transportation

Check out our People, Places, and Transportation blog about how to shape a cleaner, greener, more accessible, and more sustainable transportation future in Vermont. This is the next incarnation of the blog formerly housed at Sustainable Transportation Vermont, now co-hosted by VNRC and the Transportation for Vermonters Coalition. Stay awhile!

Read the Blog