As Washington’s premier smart growth advocate, we work to protect forests, farms and shorelines by limiting development on critical rural and resource lands and habitat. We advocate and promote vibrant, compact, livable development in our urban communities by supporting housing options, transportation choices and smart development patterns. Futurewise is also on the forefront of leveraging smart growth policies to reduce greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. There are several program areas on which Futurewise focuses to advance our goals.

Program Areas

Creating Transit-Oriented Communities – We are encouraging decisions that promote sensible, higher intensity development in urban centers, particularly around transit investments, while fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.

Community & Resource Protections - We are seeking appropriate environmental protection during the ongoing major updates to the Comprehensive Plans, Development Regulations, Critical Areas Ordinances. Over the next three years, Futurewise will work in every county in the state on the first ever Shoreline Master Program updates – restoring our precious waterways such as the Puget Sound. 

Local Solutions to Global Warming – We are working to reduce carbon emissions in our local communities through responsible land use planning.  Futurewise is continuing efforts to work toward adding a climate change element to the Growth Management Act to incorporate this important consideration into local community planning.  We’re also working with cities and counties that are proactively taking steps now.

20 Year Look – Throughout 2010 , we will be celebrating 20 years of the Growth Management Act (and our 20th Anniversary as well) and taking a look at the successes and opportunities to improve our state’s land use planning laws.