In 1997 the Maryland General Assembly adopted several specific programs, which together form the Smart Growth initiatives. Collectively, these initiatives aim to direct State resources to revitalize older developed areas, preserve some of Maryland's valuable resources and open space lands, and discourage the continuation of sprawling development into our rural areas.

The Smart Growth legislation allows the State to direct its programs and funding to support locally-designated growth areas and protect rural areas. This landmark legislation's passage is a significant accomplishment which will play a major role in Maryland's efforts to better manage land use and growth.

Smart Growth has three straightforward goals:
- to save our most valuable remaining natural resources before they are forever lost,
- to support existing communities and neighborhoods by targeting state resources to support development in areas where the infrastructure is already in place or planned to support it, and
- to save taxpayers millions of dollars in the unnecessary cost of building the infrastructure required to support sprawl.

Results of the Smart Growth initiatives include the following:

-In 2001 Governor Glendening designated $29.6 million in Rural Legacy grants to permanently protect 11,000 acres across the State.
-The General Assembly passed several new Smart Growth intiatives introduced by Governor Glendening, including the GreenPrint Program, the Community Legacy Program, increased funding for mass transit, and the creation of a new Governor's Office of Smart Growth.
-A $750 million transit program is being implemented; the program is designed to create the next generation of mass transit in Maryland
-The Maryland Revitalization Center has been set up in downtown Baltimore and serves as the focal point for interagency cooperation and implementation of revitalization initiatives in counties across the State.