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Building Better Budgets quantifies average savings and revenue of smart growth development
By Fulton, W., Preuss, I., Dodds, A., Absetz, S., & Hirsch, P.
Full Citation
Fulton, W., Preuss, I., Dodds, A., Absetz, S., & Hirsch, P. (2013). Building better budgets: A national examination of the fiscal benefits of smart growth development. Washington, DC.: Smart Growth America
Key Findings
This report analyzes the fiscal impacts of smart growth strategies through survey data, finding that compact, walkable development saves an average of 38 percent on upfront costs for new construction of roads, sewers, water lines and other infrastructure, generates 10 times more tax revenue per acre than conventional suburban development, and can reduce the costs of ongoing delivery of public services including police, ambulance and fire by an average of 10%.