Energy and Smart Growth: It's About How and Where We Build

This policy brief summary argues that integrating 'smart growth' land use policies with energy-efficient building practices is essential for reducing U.S. energy consumption and addressing climate change. It proposes a framework focusing on both the location ('where to build') and the design ('how to build') of developments to achieve environmental and economic goals.

• Smarter growth land use policies and practices provide a viable method for reducing energy consumption in the U.S. by efficiently locating development. The document argues that the smart growth and energy efficiency movements are intrinsically linked, though they have historically operated separately. Integrating energy-efficient design and renewable energy resources into smart growth can help achieve goals related to community livability, economic security, and environmental protection.
• The policy paper proposes a framework for connecting energy and land use based on two primary factors: 'how to build' (which encompasses building and neighborhood design) and 'where to build' (which refers to location). This collaboration is framed as particularly important due to concerns regarding climate change, the ill effects of fossil fuel usage, and dependence on foreign oil.

APA

Friedman, N. (2004). Energy and Smart Growth: It's About How and Where We Build. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/policy-paper-energy-and-smart-growth-its-about-how-and-where-we-build

Chicago

Friedman, Naomi. Energy and Smart Growth: It's About How and Where We Build. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2004. https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/policy-paper-energy-and-smart-growth-its-about-how-and-where-we-build.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Friedman |first1=Naomi |title=Energy and Smart Growth: It's About How and Where We Build |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=7 October 2004 |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/policy-paper-energy-and-smart-growth-its-about-how-and-where-we-build |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friedman2004energy, author = {Friedman, Naomi}, title = {{Energy and Smart Growth: It's About How and Where We Build}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2004}, month = oct, url = {https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/policy-paper-energy-and-smart-growth-its-about-how-and-where-we-build}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }