Education for Sustainable Development Tool Kit

http://www.esdtoolkit.org

The purpose of the ESD Tool Kit is to help schools and communities develop a process to create locally relevant and culturally appropriate education. The tool kit is based on the idea that communities and educational systems within communities need to dovetail their sustainability efforts. Local educational systems can reorient existing curriculums to reinforce local sustainability goals. The tool kit includes eight exercises to help schools to reorient curriculum to address sustainability, five exercises to assist communities develop sustainability goals, and three exercises to help explain the concept of sustainability.

Smart Growth Tool Kit

http://www.uli.org

Get the help you need to make smart growth a reality in your community. The tool kit provides step-by-step instructions to help you get started and explains the strategies that have worked in other cities. Case studies help you make the case for smart growth by providing concrete examples of successful projects involving infill redevelopment, brownfields, conservation design, master- planned and new urbanist communities, town centers, and transit neighborhoods. Also includes a resource guide, program agendas, and a smart growth presentation. Published by the Urban Land Institute.

Neighborhood Principles for Smart Growth Concept Paper

http://www.neighborhoodcoalition.org/lit%20review.PDF

A review of the community development and smart growth literature, including an extensive annotated bibliography. Published by the National Neighborhood Coalition.

State of the Cities 2000

http://www.hud.gov/pressrel/pr00-133.html

The report outlines four "megaforces" challenging cities today: 1) The New Economy driven by high-tech job growth. 2) The New Housing Challenge of housing costs rising faster than inflation, creating a record shortage of affordable housing. 3) The New Demography of an aging and more diverse population and a declining middle class. 4) The New Forces of Decentralization that are consuming land =96 primarily in suburbs =96 at twice the rate of population growth.

Streets and Sidewalks, People and Cars: The Citizens' Guide to Traffic Calming

http://www.lgc.org/publications/center/clcpubs.html

Written specifically for residents who want to create safer neighborhood streets, this hands-on guide gives citizens the tools they need to evaluate and improve the safety of their neighborhood residential and commercial streets. Prepared by Walkable Communities and published by the Local Government Commission=92s Center for Livable Communities, the easy-to-read, 52-page guide also details the collaborative public process through which citizens can enlist the help of fellow community members and local government officials to diagnose problems and identify and prioritize workable solutions. The Guide includes: a comprehensive toolkit with practical profiles of over 20 different traffic calming measures; forms to audit street safety and traffic speeds/volumes; steps to implement traffic calming measures; and helpful photographs and diagrams.

Paving Paradise: Sprawl and the Environment

http://www.nrdc.org/cities/smartgrowth/rpave.asp

This paper is adapted and condensed from the book Once There Were Greenfields: How Urban Sprawl is Undermining America=92s Environment, Economy, and Social Fabric, the first book to document comprehensively how urban sprawl affects many aspects of American life and present the case for smarter growth.

The Livable City: Revitalizing Urban Communities

http://www.livable.com/synopses.htm

The 20th century has witnessed an unprecedented increase in affluence for average Americans, accompanied by the growth of suburbs. This increase has not been without its difficulties. As suburbs wrestle with sprawl, many cities have sacrificed the qualities that make them livable: historic centers, and downtowns with shopping, civic activity and businesses. The 21st century will demand that cities and regions work together for mutual success. The Livable City argues that livability is essential to retain and attract business, develop civic capacity and narrow the gap between rich and poor. With chapters on leadership and financing, plus over 100 case studies, The Livable City is both practical and inspiring for those who want to make their community a better place to live, work and play. Published by Partners for Livable Communities.

Finding Solutions with Smart Growth

http://www.livable.com/synopses.htm

A report following two forums, one on keeping Maryland's Smart Growth initiatives cutting edge and the other on achieving win-win solutions with Smart Growth. Includes case studies of smart growth programs, initiatives and development projects. Published by Partners for Livable Communities.

Real Property Sustainable Development Guide

http://policyworks.gov/org/main/mp/gsa/home.html

A guide to implementing sustainable design principles and practices associated with facility construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning. The guide includes definitions and principles of sustainable development, outlines =93The Business Case For Sustainable Development=94, and describes the Sustainable Workplace. The guide also discusses financing, design tools, environmental audits & benchmarking, and includes ideas, case studies, and resources. Published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Earth Day 2000 Top Ten

http://www.e-architect.com/pia/cote/earthda00/earth00.asp

In recognition of Earth Day 2000, The American Institute of Architects selected 10 examples of viable architectural design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The facilities address one or more significant environmental challenges that have a lasting and positive impact on the built and unbuilt environment such as energy and water conservation, use of recycled construction materials, and design that improves indoor air quality.

Center for the Study of Rural America

http://www.kc.frb.org/RuralCenter/RuralMain.htm

A program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City focusing on economic and policy issues which are unique to rural America. The Center publishes =93The Main Street Economist,=94 a monthly newsletter on rural economic issues, and sponsors =93The Rural Economy Briefing Room.=94

A Guide to Deconstruction: An Overview of Destruction With a Focus on Community Development Opportunities

http://www.huduser.org/publications/destech/decon.html

Deconstruction is a new term to describe an old process =96 the selective dismantling or removal of materials from buildings before or instead of some elements of demolition. What is innovative and exciting is how communities can use this process to support and complement other community objectives. Deconstruction can be a link to job training and economic development efforts. It can create job training and job opportunities for unskilled and unemployed workers; also, small businesses could be created to handle the salvaged material from deconstruction projects. Further, deconstruction benefits the environment by diverting valuable resources from crowded landfills into profitable uses. In doing so, deconstruction helps pay for itself by generating revenues and reducing landfill and disposal costs.

In Pursuit of Livability: A Strategic Planning Cooperative

http://www.huduser.org/publications/urbplan/pursuit.html

This report is the result of an 18-month collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Partners for Livable Communities to develop a model process for community-driven development strategies. The model process developed consists of five components: broad based public participation, community visioning, and goal setting; accountability through the use of benchmarks and indicators; a consolidated planning framework; aggregation for regional improvement strategies; and an inclusive stewardship body.

INTERNET WATERSHED EDUCATIONAL TOOL

http://server.age.psu.edu/dept/grads/parson/research/home.htm

Developed to help educate local officials and other concerned citizens about water resources. InterWET gives a technical and multi-perspective response to local watershed issues, using as a case study the Spring Creek Watershed in central Pennsylvania. InterWET can be used as a stand-alone educational resource and as part of larger watershed educational efforts for a variety of people in many different watersheds.

Tools for Community Design and Decision Making

http://sustainable.state.fl.us/fdi/fscc/news/state/0004/toolsind.htm

Community planning and design processes are continually evolving to meet new societal demands for sustainable development. Finding and utilizing tools and technologies that compliment the planning process has become a necessity in today's fast-paced world. Several companies have taken leadership positions in designing programs that assist both "citizen planners" and professionals in formulating sound community development plans that are both economically feasible and socially acceptable. This 4- part article from the Florida Sustainable Communities Center gleans the best from a three-day workshop which provided an overview of decision support tools, their practical uses, examples of successful applications in specific planning projects and future expectations.

The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators

http://www.earthscan.co.uk/

Cities have always been at the heart of culture and civilization and the hubs of wealth creation, but today they face enormous challenges as economic, social and infrastructure problems abound. The Creative City is a clarion call for imaginative action in developing and running urban life and shows how to think, plan and act creatively in addressing urban issues. Remarkable examples of innovation and regeneration from around the world help to develop a clear toolkit of methods to revive our cities and to analyze the crucial steps and ways of thinking involved. The result is a book that will catalyze new approaches to solving urban problems, helping those who tackle them harness more of the energies available for creating livable, vibrant and attractive cities.

Sustainable Communities: The Potential for Eco-Neighborhoods

http://www.earthscan.co.uk/

A book that examines the practicality of re-inventing local neighborhoods in an increasingly mobile, privatized and commodified society. It presents the findings of a worldwide review of eco-villages and sustainable neighborhoods, demonstrating what is possible. The book focuses on the ordinary communities in which people live, looking at the changing nature and role of local place communities, at the technologies (energy, food, water, movement) that help close local resource loops and the potential for improved decision-making at the local level. Written by an expert interdisciplinary team of town planners, social scientists and urban designers, it includes case studies from the UK, Denmark, Germany and the US, plus a detailed appendix listing current eco- village and eco-neighborhood schemes by country.

Principles for the Ecological Restoration of Aquatic Resources

http://www.epa.gov/owow/restore

A new publication from EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds that describes the guiding principles for restoration planning and action for aquatic ecosystems.

Toward Sustainable Communities: Transition and Transformation in Environmental Policy

http://mitpress.mit.edu/book-home.tcl?isbn=3D0262631946

A new book that reviews and assesses environmental sustainability policy over the last 3 decades. Toward Sustainable Communities uses six case studies to illustrate innovative strategies in specific policy areas (air and water pollution control, land use, transportation, urban redevelopment and regional ecosystem management). The authors and editors assess such new approaches as market incentives and collaborative decision-making and place these experiments in the larger framework in the still- evolving transition to community sustainability.

Sprawl Busting: State Programs to Guide Growth

http://www.planning.org/bookstore/Description.asp?Index=3DASPR

A new book from the American Planning Association that provides a comprehensive look at the innovative land-use measures and practices adopted by four states that lead the country in managing urban sprawl. The book is a careful study of what Florida, Georgia, Oregon and Washington have done to shape and plan land use within their respective borders during the past 30 years. Extensively researched and illustrated with maps, charts, and tables, the book covers the principal components of state- sponsored programs and analyzes minimum standards for local land-use plans.

Crossroads, Hamlet, Village, Town: Design Characteristics of Traditional Neighborhoods, Old and New

http://www.planning.org/bookstore/Description.asp?Index=3DP487

In response to America=92s growing interest in creating more livable towns and cities, the American Planning Association has published a new report featuring dozens of communities that provide the country with models of compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and urban places. Author Randall Arendt provides a comprehensive examination of the physical layout of communities and the relationship of homes to streets, parks, footpaths and bikeways. Approximately 80 communities in 29 states from Maine to California are singled out as models of livable neighborhoods containing open spaces.

Successful Public Meetings: A Practical Guide

http://www.planning.org/bookstore/Description.asp?Index=3DASPM

A comprehensive guide to planning and conducting successful public meetings that identifies the essential components of a successful meeting, lists crucial tasks, explains how to overcome last-minute disasters, and reveals tactful, but effective ways to manage difficult participants and awkward situations. Also includes checklists to organize every aspect of a meeting. Published by the American Planning Association.

Triumph of the Mundane: Unseen Trends that Shape Our Lives and Environment

http://www.islandpress.org/books/bookdata/trium.html

Author Hal Kane offers a unique assessment of how and why our day-to-day lives have changed, and considers the wide-ranging impacts of those changes. Using a variety of indicators of behavior =96distances between family members, the things we own, and the pace of our lives =96 he traces the social transformations that have occurred in recent decades, and considers the profound effects of those changes on our values, relationships, and physical surroundings. Kane takes a first step at defining a new set of political goals, as he identifies questions that leaders and policymakers must address if they are to reinvigorate our public discourse so that it can improve the quality of our lives. He provides examples of powerful new ways of measuring the things we really care about, and offers an important means of recognizing the often-overlooked issues that underlie much of the environmental crisis.

Community Guide to Development Impact Analysis

http://www.wisc.edu/pats/wlurp.html

A guide developed for local officials, planners and practitioners that outlines a comprehensive assessment of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of development. Published by the Wisconsin Land Use Research Program at the University of Wisconsin =96 Madison.

The Wellbeing of Nations: A Country-by-Country Index of Quality of Life and the Environment

http://www.islandpress.org/books/bookdata/wellbeing.html

The use of indicators to gauge human progress is common and well understood; Gross Domestic Product and the Index of Leading Economic Indicators are two well-known examples. Yet most of the widely cited indicators focus exclusively on economic activity, and even the most progressive of indicators fail to account for key issues of sustainability. The Wellbeing of Nations addresses that shortcoming by combining indicators of human well being with those of environmental stability to generate a more comprehensive picture of the state of our world. The author combines 39 indicators of health, population, wealth, education, communication, freedom, peace, crime, and equity in to a Human Wellbeing Index, and 39 indicators of land health, protected areas, water quality, water supply, global atmosphere, air quality, species diversity, energy use, and resource pressures into an Ecosystem Wellbeing Index. The two indexes are then combined into a Wellbeing/Stress Index that measures the amount of stress each country's development places on the environment. Seventy color-coded geopolitical maps vividly portray the performance of each of the 180 nations for all indexes, and the main indicators that go into them.

New Strategies for America's Watersheds

http://books.nap.edu/catalog/6020.html

Provides a timely and comprehensive look at the rise of "watershed thinking" among scientists and policymakers and recommends ways to steer the nation toward improved watershed management. The book defines important terms, identifies fundamental issues, and explores reasons why now is the time to bring watersheds to the forefront of ecosystem management. In a discussion of scale and scope, the authors examines how to expand the watershed from a topographic unit to a framework for integrating natural, social, and economic perspectives as they share the same geographic space. Authored by the National Research Council=92s Committee on Watershed Management.

Trails for the Twenty-first Century: Planning, Design, and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails

http://www.islandpress.org/books/bookdata/trails.html

Communities across the country are working to convert unused railway and canal corridors into trails for pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders, and others, serving the needs of both recreationists and commuters alike. These multi-use trails can play a key role in improving livability, as they offer an innovative means of addressing sprawl, revitalizing urban areas, and reusing degraded lands. Trails for the Twenty-first Century is a step-by- step guide to all aspects of the planning, design, and management of multi-use trails. Originally published in 1993, this completely revised and updated edition offers a wealth of new information including: discussions of recent regulations and federal programs, including ADA and TEA-21; recently revised design standards from AASHTO; current research on topics ranging from trail surfacing to conflict resolution; and information about designing and building trails in brownfields and other environmentally troubled landscapes. Also included is a new introduction that describes the importance of rail-trails to the sustainable communities movement.

The Regional City

http://www.islandpress.org/books/bookdata/regional.html

Most Americans today do not live in discrete cities and towns, but rather in an aggregation of cities and suburbs that forms one basic economic, multi-cultural, environmental and civic entity. These "regional cities" have the potential to significantly improve the quality of our lives-to provide interconnected and diverse economic centers, transportation choices, and a variety of human-scale communities. In The Regional City, two of the most innovative thinkers in the field of land use planning and design offer a detailed look at this new metropolitan form and explain how regional-scale planning and design can help direct growth wisely and reverse current trends in land use. The authors discuss the nature and underpinnings of this new metropolitan form, present their view of the policies and physical design principles required for metropolitan areas to transform themselves into regional cities, document the combination of physical design and social and economic policies that are being used across the country, and consider the main factors that are shaping metropolitan regions today, including the maturation of sprawling suburbs and the renewal of urban neighborhoods.

Planning for a New Century: The Regional Agenda

http://www.islandpress.org/books/bookdata/plan.html

A new book that brings together leading thinkers in the fields of planning, urban design, education, welfare, and housing to examine those issues and to consider the ways in which public policies have helped create-and can help solve-many of the problems facing our communities. Each chapter identifies issues, provides background, and offers specific policy suggestions for federal, state, and local initiatives. Topics examined include: the relation of existing growth management policies to social equity, as well as how regional growth management measures can make new development more sustainable; ways in which local governments can promote environmental preservation and better-designed communities by rewriting local zoning and subdivision ordinances; and how business improvement districts can make downtowns cleaner, safer, and more welcoming to workers and visitors.

APA Policy Guide on Planning for Sustainability

http://www.planning.org/govt/sustdvpg.htm

A policy guide from the American Planning Association (APA) that outlines the planning processes, practices and outcomes needed to promote sustainability. APA has identified four basic objectives for planning toward greater sustainability that can be used as a framework for policy development at each level of decision-making =96 local, state, regional, and federal =96 in the broad range of matters with which planners are concerned =96 land use, housing, transportation, and economic development, among others. The four objectives are based on the Natural Step framework.

Protecting Wetlands, Managing Watersheds: Local Government Case Studies

http://bookstore.icma.org

Provides local government case studies that offer practical strategies to help protect wetlands and manage watersheds. Programs for public education, financing, wetlands mitigation, GIS and much more are provided by local government practitioners from across the country. Published by the International City/County Management Association.

Trails and Greenways guide for small communities

http://bookstore.icma.org

Trails and greenways offer opportunities for recreation, promote public safety by separating pedestrians and cyclists from motor traffic, conserve greenspace, and provide a transportation alternative. This report describes the experience of small towns, counties, and cities in planning, funding, constructing, and managing trails and greenways. It includes resources for planning and managing trails and greenways =96 from the initial idea through assessment of usage. Published by the International City/County Management Association.

Practical Guide to Environmental Community Relations

http://catalog.wiley.com/

A complete, forward-thinking guide to environmental community relations procedures and program development. The Guide offers a comprehensive hands-on framework for working successfully with community residents and other stakeholders to prevent, resolve, or minimize conflicts on environmental issues. Featuring detailed checklists, forms, and worksheets, the book equips you with ready- to-use knowledge and skills in key areas of environmental community relations development including: community assessment, communications, community relations techniques and programs, environmental regulations, cutting-edge issues in management, community relations, public affairs, and law.

The Civic Index: Measuring Your Community's Civic Health

http://www.ncl.org/NCL/csci2.htm

A unique community-building tool that helps communities address local challenges by providing measurement tools and processes they can apply themselves. The new edition of the Civic Index encourages community dialogue by providing guided questions, sample surveys, and sample indicators for communities wishing to measure their civic health. Concrete examples of a wide variety of cities across the country that have used the Civic index to evaluate their civic infrastructures =97 formal and informal processes and networks through which communities make decisions and attempt to solve problems =97 are included throughout the publication.

Prospects for Sustainable Energy: A Critical Assessment

http://www.cup.org

Provides a critical overview and assessment of market readiness for the gamut of sustainable energy technologies, including solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, ocean energy sources, and solar- derived hydrogen fuel. Written for the non-technical reader, it explores the technical features, status of research and development, and marketability of these alternatives. It addresses arguments for and against the implementation of each option.

The Process Of Business/Environmental Collaborations: Partnering For Sustainability

http://www.idrassociate.org

The book focuses on the process of business and environmental collaborations, providing case studies and practical advice to foster activities that meet environmental and economic goals. It covers the range of challenges organizations face when collaborating, from choosing appropriate partners to managing the partnership. Five in- depth case studies highlight how organizations can partner in the face of different motivations and values. The case studies describe partnerships that benefit forests, water, land development, and wildlife.

Vital Signs 2000: The Environmental Trends That Are Shaping Our Future

http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/vs/vs00/index.html

This ninth volume in the series from the Worldwatch Institute shows in graphic form the key trends that often escape the attention of the news media and world leaders =96 and that are often ignored by economic experts as they plan for the future. The book gives readers easy access to key indicators that show social, economic, and environmental progress, or the lack of it. The carefully selected data have been distilled into "vital signs" from thousands of documents obtained from government, industry, scientists, and international organizations. The book covers a variety of trends related to such topics as food, agriculture, population, energy, atmosphere, economy, transportation, communication, health, and ecology.

Growing Pains: Quality of Life in the New Economy

http://www.nga.org/Pubs/IssueBriefs/2000/GrowingPains.asp

A report from The National Governors' Association that outlines the role of governors in promoting smart growth and combating sprawl.

Recognizing the Air Quality Benefits of Local and State Land Use Policies and Projects in the Air Quality Planning Process

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/transp/traqsusd.htm

A new report from EPA that provides guidance to communities to develop "smart growth" strategies for improving air quality. This can be accomplished by accounting for the air quality benefits of land use measures that reduce vehicle miles traveled and pollution from cars and other mobile sources in a state's air quality planning processes. The guidance supports and recognizes innovation and creativity in land use policies and projects through voluntary measures. Examples include infill development, brownfield redevelopment and development oriented toward public transit projects. The draft guidance proposes options that will allow communities who experience air quality problems to recognize the benefit of developing land use activities. These options could be used to encourage communities to try new strategies that could provide a wealth of benefits in addition to better air quality.

Building Livable Communities: Sustaining Prosperity, Improving Quality of Life, Building a Sense of Community

http://www.livablecommunities.gov/report2k.htm

Outlines a 30-point Livable Communities Initiative by the Clinton- Gore Administration designed to offer more choices to communities seeking to improve their quality of life. The Initiative represents a package of policy actions plus a set of voluntary partnerships with communities across the country. The initiative includes topics such as expanding transportation choices, creating parks, protecting the environment, increasing public safety, and investing in education. It covers areas from revitalizing cities, to reducing congestion, to protecting farmland.

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