Smart Growth and New Urbanism:
Based on a review of the recent literature on the topics of Smart Growth and New Urbanism, this paper provides a synthesis and theoretical commentary on these complex movements and the conditions required for their implementation. The paper also aims at giving an overview of the progress of these two movements and, more generally, of the urban sustainability paradigm in Canada. While progress appears promising, the author points out that numerous conditions must still be met before the public initiatives in this field can be implemented. A long term perspective and adequate evaluation tools will eventually permit judgement as to the success or the failure of these initiatives.