1000 Friends of Connecticut

For robust cities and downtowns, to sustainably grow our state and local economies, and to protect critical natural resources, we must make comprehensive changes to development policies and investment priorities. 

Those changes must include: 
1. reducing our reliance on the property tax; 
2. improving regional cooperation; 
3. modernizing local zoning codes; and 
4. investing strategically and in the long-term best interests of the people and the state.

The economic recession brought to light how sprawl acts like a "get rich quick" scheme. As more and more people fled our state's urban cores for cities' outer rings, poverty followed. 

Hear Nichole Strack, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, speak about solutions to sprawl's costly effects on John Dankosky's "Where We Live" on WNPR.

Also be sure to read "Poverty in the Suburbs: It's a New England Thing," by Elizabeth Kneestone from the Brookings Institute to learn about shifts in recent poverty trends and what it means for Connecticut.

Friends receive quarterly newsletters and updates on smart growth in Connecticut, alerts on state and federal policies and programs affecting our state, eligibility for the Friends discount to the Annual Statewide Smart Growth Conference, and more!

Is this development sustainable?
1000 Friends of Connecticut has created a tool to score development against Smart Growth criteria. A committee of volunteers analyzes real estate development plans to determine if the project reflects Smart Growth standards and principles. 1000 Friends advocates for developments that score well and will offer constructive suggestions to strengthen projects that aren't quite as smart. We rate developments on their use of existing infrastructure , compactness, mix of housing, office space, shops and other uses, parking, walkability, design, and greenness.

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