Coming Soon!: A report will soon be posted here describing the sustainable comunity programs of a couple of dozen communities across the U.S.
Best Practices Database is a searchable database that contains proven solutions to common urban problems facing the world’s cities today. First presented at the United Nations Habitat II City Summit, this “knowledge base” plays an important role in identifying ways in which shared solutions can address urban issues such as poverty, access to land, clean water, population, shelter, and transportation.
Center for Neighborhood Technology promotes public policies, new resources and accountable authority which support sustainable, just, and vital urban communities. Three program areas are: Transportation/Air Quality, Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling, and Community Energy.
The Center for Regenerative Studies is a university-based setting for education, demonstration and research in regenerative technologies, including using solar energy, reusing water, maintaining the fertility of the soils, growing a variety of foods without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, recycling wastes, and providing shelter compatible with existing environments.
Chattanooga Committed to Sustainable Development — Economy, Ecology, Equity — is the City of Chattanooga’s site focused on business, government and civic leaders examining opportunities and implications of sustainable development through environmental stewardship.
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is the international environmental agency for local governments. Global consumption and waste production is increasingly concentrated in urban areas and provides opportunities to meet human needs while reducing and managing wastes. Strengthening rural communities reduces the pattern of ecological destruction and population migration which is often a result of rural poverty and desperation.
Integrated Transport Planning in Curitiba, Brazil provides information on integrated sustainable transport considerations which were key to all of this city’s plans for business, road infrastructure, and community development.
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) is a nonprofit research and educational organization that provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies. ILSR works with citizen groups, governments and private businesses in developing policies that extract the maximum value from local resources.
Los Angeles Eco-Village strives for an urban community in which the ecological, economic and social systems in the neighborhood are integrated for long term health and sustainability. It is working in the areas of housing, transportation, energy, food, education, economics,and social interaction.
The Joint Center for Sustainable Communities has been established by the National Association of Counties and the US Conference of Mayors to help local elected officials develop creative city/county partnerships as a mechanism for addressing economic, environmental and social equity challenges. The Center’s agenda will include serving as an information clearinghouse for examples of self-reliant community initiatives.
Renew America coordinates a network of community and environmental groups, businesses, government leaders and civic activists to exchange ideas and expertise for improving the environment.
Santa Monica’s Sustainable City Program website presents this city’s innovative and comprehensive approach to sustainability, including guiding principles, indicators and policies. It has developed practical municipal policies for everything from purchasing to construction to ensuring a healthy Santa Monica Bay.
Sustainable Building Sourcebook from the City of Austin, Texas, is chock full of information, references, and sources for those interested in pursuing attractive, resource efficient, low environmental impact homes. Includes information such as alternative building techniques, sustainable construction materials, and rainwater collection systems.
Sustainable Communities Network is a comprehensive resource for citizens working to create healthy and vital communities through efforts which are integrative, inclusive and participatory. People are demonstrating how interconnective strategies can produce communities that are more environmentally sound, economically prosperous, and socially equitable. Links to specific community Web sites are included as well as sections on creating community, living sustainably, smart growth, protecting natural resources, governance, and economy.