The foundation of the Smart Growth Initiative is the identification of the Desired Development Zone (DDZ) and the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ) as shown on the Smart Growth Map (.pdf format, 473kb - the free Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view this map).

The Desired Development Zone is shown in orange and yellow on the Smart Growth map. This area encompasses roughly the eastern two-thirds of Austin including the most highly urbanized areas of the city such as downtown and the University of Texas.

The Desired Development Zone is where the city wants to direct future growth. However, the DDZ should not be seen as uniformly suitable for development. The Smart Growth Initiative proposes a hierarchy of zones and priority areas within the DDZ. In order of importance, the hierarchy for future growth in the DDZ is as follows:

• Downtown (shown in dark purple);
• Areas with significant opportunities for redevelopment such as the former site of Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (RMMA);
• Appropriate corridors and transit centers as identified in the Corridor and Light Rail Planning process (potential corridors are shown as dashed red lines, potential transit stations are shown as black dots);
• Infill and redevelopment opportunities within the Urban Core as established in the Neighborhood Planning process;
• Traditional Neighborhood District Zones near Destination Parks (shown as shaded circles along the eastern edge of Austin) .

Other features shown on the Map include:

• Proposed Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CMTA) light rail system (shown as black dashed lines running from northwest to southeast Austin), and;
• Proposed Georgetown to San Antonio Commuter Rail line (shown as a black dashed line running along Loop 1 near the western edge of the DDZ).

The Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ) is shown in green on the Smart Growth map. The DWPZ is significant because it includes the following:

• Watersheds that supply a portion of Austin's drinking water;
• Endangered species habitat (shown in cross hatch);
• A portion of the Edwards Aquifer that feeds Barton Springs (shown as shaded hourglass shaped area);
• Steep slopes and shallow soils of the hill country that are not well suited for intensive development.

The Smart Growth Initiative discourages additional development in the Drinking Water Protection Zone due to the environmental constraints found in this area.