Urban Growth Boundary
Field(s):
Community Development, Environmental Planning, Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery, Housing Planning, Land Use & Law
Region of Focus:
General
An urban growth boundary (UGB) is a regulatory line that separates urban areas from rural or undeveloped land, aiming to contain sprawl and promote compact, efficient development.
UGBs are designed to protect agricultural land, natural resources, and open spaces while directing growth into areas with existing infrastructure. By limiting outward expansion, UGBs encourage infill development, reduce infrastructure costs, and support sustainable land use patterns. Examples include Portland, Oregon’s UGB, which has become a model for managing growth while maintaining environmental quality and community livability.
Last update:
April 16, 2025
Developed by:
The Urban Lexis Editorial Team
Contributor(s):
With support from:
ChatGPT (by OpenAI) and DeepSeek
We acknowledge the assistance of AI tools in helping draft content. Final edits, fact-checking, and curatorial decisions were made by the Urban Lexis Editorial Team to ensure quality and relevance for our planning community.