Land-Use Changes in a Pro-Smart-Growth State: Maryland, USA

In this paper we present a study of the effectiveness of the smart-growth initiatives in Maryland, USA, for shaping the spatial pattern of urban growth in the state by channeling development into designated areas. By estimating binary logit models of land conversion for selected counties in Maryland for both pre-smart-growth and post-smart-growth time periods, we find that the governmental policy has generally been successful in achieving its objective. However, there are significant variations across local counties in terms of policy effectiveness. Planners must pay much closer attention to these interjurisdictional differences in the effectiveness of smart-growth programs, examine the likely causes and consequences, and formulate strategies for making improvement.