If implemented effectively, what can a smart growth plan achieve?

A smart growth plan aims to create sustainable and livable communities by promoting development patterns that are environmentally responsible and economically viable. The successful implementation of such a plan can lead to multiple positive outcomes.

Cleaner water and air result from thoughtful land use planning that encourages green spaces and limits urban sprawl, which often contributes to pollution. By integrating parks, natural habitats, and eco-friendly infrastructure into urban designs, a smart growth plan helps mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on both air and water quality.

Additionally, the preservation of historic buildings is a key component of smart growth, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a community's cultural heritage while fostering growth. This approach not only respects the historical value of structures but also reinforces community identity and can attract visitors and investors.

The other choices point towards negative aspects or outcomes that are contrary to the goals of a smart growth plan. Increased housing prices, worsening air quality, and greater reliance on automobile transportation do not align with the principles of smart growth, which prioritizes affordability, sustainability, and improved quality of life for residents. Thus, the correct answer highlights the beneficial impacts of well-executed smart growth strategies on the environment and community heritage.