Content courtesy of the Prince William Conservation Alliance.
A smarter way to grow
The “3Rs of Reaching Our Potential” — Reimagine, Reinvest, Redevelop — is a smart-growth framework developed by the Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA). The Coalition to Protect Prince William County, a nonpartisan group focused on thoughtful land use, open space and an informed community, points residents to it.
PWCA summarizes the idea this way: “We reimagine smart growth to include providing sustainable drinking water; we reinvest in our existing communities and natural/cultural assets; and we redevelop areas with existing infrastructure to create walkable, vibrant, transit-connected places.” Rather than “building the same everywhere,” PWCA says, growth should go where infrastructure already exists.
The framework, its descriptions and the quotations below are PWCA’s; the paraphrase is the Coalition’s. See sources.
The first R
Reimagine
PWCA asks residents to picture a different future for the county — one that is more than a bedroom community of commuter lots, strip malls and ever-wider roads. It frames the county around three connected areas, each with its own opportunities:
- Forested Belt — spans the county from Prince William Forest Park through the Occoquan Reservoir and protects stream headwaters.
- Agritourism & Arts Overlay — the rural lands, anchored by the two national parks and Marine Corps Base Quantico.
- Suburban/Urban Cores — the existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors on either side of the Forested Belt.
“We don’t have to choose between growth and quality of life. Prince William is more than high-density housing and data centers everywhere.”— PWCA, 3Rs handout
PWCA also adds drinking water to the picture: “Smart Growth MUST consider drinking water.” In its words, the quality and sustainability of our drinking water are directly tied to how and where we develop.
Content courtesy of the Prince William Conservation Alliance — pwconserve.org/3rs
The second R
Reinvest
Reinvest in the natural resources and existing communities the county already has. PWCA describes what that looks like in each area:
- Forested Belt: uphold the Occoquan Reservoir Protection Area, restrict development on steep slopes and sensitive soils, expand tree-save programs and conservation easements, and connect green spaces with trails and wildlife corridors.
- Agritourism & Arts Overlay: activate the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program, support reforestation, and keep low-density rural zoning (1 house per 10 acres).
- Suburban/Urban Cores: reinvest where infrastructure exists — for example more trails, native plantings, upgraded stormwater systems, more tree canopy and walkable community parks.
“By reimagining what we have, we can reinvest in our natural resources, redevelop walkable work-live-play communities that incentivize a strong, resilient economy.”— PWCA, 3Rs handout
Content courtesy of the Prince William Conservation Alliance — pwconserve.org/3rs
The third R
Redevelop
Redevelop where it makes the most sense: areas that are already built and have infrastructure, rather than natural open space. PWCA’s handout lists these steps for the urban and suburban cores:
- Focus growth, housing and improvements where infrastructure already exists, including mass transit.
- Redevelop aging shopping centers and underused lots to create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.
- Increase tree canopy and upgrade stormwater systems.
- Concentrate higher density near VRE stations and transit hubs.
PWCA describes the cores as “existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors where thoughtful reinvestment can create walkable, mixed-use communities that reduce traffic and attract diverse businesses and economic growth.”
“People are tired of watching woodlands disappear, traffic get worse, and underused commercial areas being neglected.”— PWCA, Ashley Studholme, PWCA Executive Director, May 2025 press release
Content courtesy of the Prince William Conservation Alliance — pwconserve.org/3rs
Hear it from Ashley Studholme
Clips from the Audacious NIMBY podcast interview with Ashley Studholme of the Prince William Conservation Alliance.
Audacious NIMBY Ep. 15 (Aug 8, 2026, 1 h 17 min). Patrick Harders talks with Ashley Studholme, Executive Director of the Prince William Conservation Alliance, about smart growth, watersheds and land conservation. Watch on YouTube
Ashley Studholme explains why she put together the 3 R’s and why how the county grows matters. (Clip, 1 min) Watch on YouTube
Ashley Studholme on how land use in the Occoquan watershed connects to drinking water quality. (Clip, 1.5 min) Watch on YouTube
On why clean, reliable water is part of every land-use and growth conversation. (Clip, 1.5 min) Watch on YouTube
On watershed, water supply and infrastructure limits. (Clip, 1 min) Watch on YouTube
Videos are embedded from the public Audacious NIMBY YouTube channel; nothing is re-hosted here. Content courtesy of the Prince William Conservation Alliance.
Related issues on this site
Camp Snyder
Land-use questions in Haymarket, and the Coalition’s position and sources.
Rural Crescent
The county’s rural area: vision, county proposals, history and studies.
Learn more and get involved
Explore PWCA’s full 3Rs vision, handout and interactive StoryMap, then see how you can take part in local land-use decisions.
PWCA’s 3Rs page →3Rs handout (PDF)Take ActionPWCA has agreed to the Coalition publishing this content with credit (per Patrick, Oct 26, 2026).