Promoting smart growth in Puget Sound is a key strategy for the recovery of the Puget Sound ecosystem. Smart development in urban areas can help protect forest lands, open spaces, agricultural fields, and wetlands, which are home to an integrated and biodiverse web of life. Channeling growth into well-designed, denser urban centers can protect these important ecological areas. 

This Progress Indicator tracks the percentage of new development permits located within urban growth areas (UGAs) compared to new development permits outside of UGAs. This Indicator tells us how well we are channeling new growth into UGAs compared to the rural areas in the region. It is reported at the county scale. 

This Progress Indicator is currently under development.