Smart growth theory becomes practice through redevelopment strategies and zoning policies that channel housing and job growth into urban centers and neighborhood business districts. They create compact, walkable, and bike- and transit-friendly hubs. This typically requires local governments to implement code changes that allow for increased density and relaxed parking regulations that not only eliminate minimum parking requirements for new development but establish a maximum number of spaces allowed.
Updated zoning codes are essential to achieving desired smart growth outcomes and Tulsa is presently in the process of updating its outdated code. True mixed use zoning tools focus development in specific targeted areas sometimes offering density incentives to spur brownfield and greyfield land redevelopment. Zoning can also be used to require set-asides for parks and other community amenities.
Another popular smart growth tool is the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). It can help contain high density development in certain areas but requires a lot of planning and study before implementation.
