Project partners Release Report

Now Available: NOAA, EPA, ICMA and RI Sea Grant announce the release of a report overviewing Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth approaches and implementation techniques described on this website.

DEVELOPMENT at the WATER'S EDGE

Coastal and waterfront communities have a distinctive sense of place created by their history, as well as by their characteristic sights, sounds, and smells. On the coast, the bellow of tugboats and the salty taste of ocean air; along lakes and rivers, the sound of the water and the feel of brisk waterborne winds-all come together to shape our sense of these special places... more read more

COASTAL and WATERFRONT CHALLENGES and OPPORTUNITIES

Bounded by water, coastal and waterfront communities are challenged to make the best use of limited land while protecting critical natural resources from the potentially damaging effects of growth. These communities must consider a common set of overarching issues when managing growth and development. more read more

SMART GROWTH APPROACHES

How can smart growth strategies help coastal and waterfront communities manage growth and development while balancing environmental, economic, and quality of life issues? How can communities on the water adapt smart growth strategies to fit their unique character? This website will help communities answer these questions. It is specifically targeted to anyone who plans, designs, builds, approves, or has an interest in development at the water's edge. more read more