Other Resources

About Planning is a clearinghouse for information on urban planning, smart growth, new urbanism, and growth management.

Blandin Community Leadership Program has provided experiential leadership training for over 3,000 community leaders from 200+ rural Minnesota communities.The goal of BCLP is to cultivate and train broad-based teams of local leaders to work collaboratively to anticipate change, manage conflict, build consensus and create the future in their rural communities.

Center for Sustainable Living in Northfield, Minnesota, works to: develop community awareness of the need for sustainable practices; introduce ongoing programs which strengthen the natural environment, economy and social well-being; and provide training, education and research on the subject of sustainability.

The Chattanooga Institute promotes the building of sustainable and competitive communities and companies through innovative education, design, technology, policy and partnerships--locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Communities by Choice serves as a "virtual community" for people who share a common interest in sustainability. The site identifies a wide range of resources and features a "learning exchange."

EarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal makes key environmental and sustainable development information available not only to policy-makers but also to the general public. The site features articles, maps, data tables, and a searchable database of information. EarthTrends’ information is grouped in ten topic areas: coastal and marine ecosystems; forests and grasslands; water resources and freshwater systems; agriculture and food; climate and atmosphere; population, health, and human well-being; economics and business; energy; biodiversity and protected areas; and environmental governance.

Earth Vision offers the latest environmental news, as well as a calendar of events, a business directory and a links directory. One entire section of this website focuses on sustainability.

Eco-Compass: Community Issues provides a number of links to Eco-Compass features and organizations focusing on sustainable communities. 

EcoIQ Sustainable Communities identifies a number of resources related to sustainable communities, including directories, on-line articles, a magazine and an on-line store that offers products such as publications, videos and multimedia products, as well as links to other useful sites.

Environmental Defense's Environmental Sustainability Kit is a set of tools designed to help local leaders, residents and businesses work toward making their communities more sustainable. The kit focuses on the environmental and pollution-prevention aspects of sustainable community development, although its inclusive approach makes it useful for any sustainable community initiative.

The Green Map System is a globally connected, locally adaptable framework for community sustainability. Green Maps chart the sites of environmental significance in urban places around the world. Each map is created locally in a unique way, and the Mapmakers are of all ages and backgrounds.

Green Restaurant Association (GRA) is a national non-profit organization that provides services in research, consulting, education, marketing and community organizing. The GRA utilizes a collaborative strategy that involves restaurants, manufacturers, vendors, grassroots organizations, government, media, and restaurant customers. The GRA's model provides a convenient way for all sectors of the restaurant industry, which represents 10 percent of the U.S. economy, to become more environmentally sustainable.

Greening Government is a Canadian website that coordinates and supports federal departments in their efforts to minimize their environmental footprint. This web-based guide contains important environmental advice to federal government employees and is especially helpful for those involved in key operations such as procurement, real property, and waste management, among others.

Landscapes and Liveable Environments is a Canadian website focusing on potential solutions to urban growth and more liveable communities. The site features a number of resources, including Projects, Presentations, Publications, and Links.

List of California Non-Profits Working for Sustainability identifies a number of non-profit organizations in southern California working on sustainability issues. The list provides an overview of each organization's goals and activities, as well as links.

Local Government Environmental Assistance Network, developed by The International City/County Management Association and other national groups, features a huge on-line toolbox of interactive software for local government elected and appointed officials, managers and staff. These tools allow local governments to quickly calculate the money saved by various environmental strategies (such as solid waste reduction efforts), calculate pollution of various development scenarios, or help users do calculations necessary to fulfill environmental reporting requirements.

National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals (NALGEP) brings together local environmental officials to network and share information on innovative environmental practices, conduct environmental policy projects, and promote environmental training and education. Its projects include Smart Growth Business Partnership, Brownfields Showcase Community Network, Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund and the Clean Air Partnership.

Nature Challenge, a program of the David Suzuki Foundation, encourages Canadians to commit themselves to actions from a list of 10 steps to conserve nature. Participants receive a newsletter with tips to help them fulfill their pledge.

NextStep provides useful information on issues related to community sustainability, as well as resources, opportunities for networking, job listings and more. Topics addressed include land use, transportation, buildings, ecosystems, water, energy and agriculture.

Oberlin Design Initiative works with community members and students in Oberlin, Ohio, to implement projects, identify integrated solutions, bring resources to the community, and promote community dialogue. The goal of this work is a combination of environmental restoration and wealth creation for a healthy small town where people want to stay. For more information, contact ODI at 15-1/2 B, W. College Street, Oberlin, OH 44074; Phone: (440) 776-0209; e-mail: Ohousing@oberlin.edu.

Oregon Solutions is a website that helps communities, businesses and governments move toward sustainability. The website was developed to help the state of Oregon reach the goals set forth in Governor Kitzhaber's May 2000 Executive Order on Sustainability. The site identifies strategies for sustainability within the realms of economics, environment and equity. It includes case studies, featured individuals, commentary, a calendar of events and the Sustainability Learning Network Forum.

Patterns of a Conservation Economy is designed as a comprehensive visioning and planning tool. The site identifies patterns that blend ecology, equity and economics. Topics include ecological land-use planning, human-scale neighborhoods and renewable energy.

Climate Change Calculator
Find out how much you contribute to climate change, and how you can help offset emissions.

National Association of Local Government Environmental Officials (NALGEP)
For 10 years, the nonprofit NALGEP has represented local government personnel responsible for ensuring environmental compliance and developing and implementing environmental policies and programs. Its new website provides information in five subject areas of great interest to environmental officials: Brownfields Revitalization, Air Quality, Smart Growth, Water Quality, and Local Innovation.

The Population Coalition is a grassroots organization striving to promote public education and action of problems of population growth, resource consumption and sustainability. Available materials include a newsletter, white papers and learning tools.

President’s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD)
The PCSD was formed in 1993 to provide advice regarding sustainable development and the new approaches to achieve economic, environmental, and equity goals. This website contains information about the PCSD, including its mission. In addition, the site includes the PCSD’s final report to the President, outlining its recommendations for a national sustainable development action strategy, along with reports of the eight task forces created under the PCSD.

The Priorities Institute is a non-profit, educational research organization, a major project of which is Livable Cities for the 21st Century: New Urbanism II. The website provides information on many topics related to sustainable development.

Rebuild America is a Department of Energy Program that focuses on energy-savings solutions as community solutions. Rebuild America forms partnerships with community organizations to provide technology, services and tools for energy retrofits of buildings that also encompass a variety of issues such as transportation, economic and community development, urban sprawl, and sustainability.

Renewing the Countryside is a program of the Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. The program website showcases outstanding examples of people working to enhance their rural communities and regions through new and value-added products, wise use of energy and natural resources, sustainable farming and forestry, and the arts. These activities increase the economic vitality, quality of life, and attractiveness of the countryside.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on seven areas: Energy, Transportation, Green Development, Water, Economic Renewal, Corporate Sustainability and Security.  RMI's Economic Renewal Guide provides a step-by-step community decision-making process that defuses factionalism, encourages collaborative citizen involvement and self-reliance, and leads to sustainable development that benefits everyone. 

Sustainable Boston Initiative is an initiative created to address sustainability issues for Boston. The website provides information on environmental justice, the environmental blueprint, open space, recycling, transportation options and more.

Sustainable City is a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated to achieving a sustainable future for San Francisco. The website features detailed information about San Francisco's five-year Sustainability Plan.

Sustainable Development Extension Network was designed to help communities solve problems on the ground. Though the focus is on education, the applications can be wide-ranging, from supporting more efficient agricultural pratices to providing businesses with information on new pollution-prevention technologies. By working with a local community champion or organization, SDEN helps build a network of people working on similar goals, links them to others, and provides them with the latest and most relevant information.

Sustainable Development Gateway is a project of the International Institute for Sustainable Development that "integrates the online information developed by a network of some of the world's leading sustainable development institutes." The site also includes a sustainable development primer, which covers some 150 topics and links to more than 1,600 member documents.

Sustainable Development Internet Resources identifies a number of Internet websites that focus on sustainable development. Prepared by Sustainability Review newsletter.  

Sustainable North Shore is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Finland tha tpromotes the transformation of Minnesota's North Shore region into a functioning model of modern sustainable culture. Working from a bioregional perspective, Sustainable North Shore is inspired by an entrepreneurial approach that fosters the efficient and restorative use of natural, human, financial, and manufactured capital.

Sustainable Slopes is a set of voluntary environmental principles for ski resorts and skiers to follow, along with many dozen best practices for resorts in 21 areas, including water conservation, habitat protection and forest/watershed management, energy conservation, waste reduction, visual quality, transportation, air quality, and education and outreach. Almost 200 ski areas have endorsed the Sustainable Slopes program.

Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods is sponsored by the University of Louisville (KY). The website offers a variety of useful information on community design and planning, including reports, handbooks and a list of links.

Top Sustainable Development Websites showcases the top websites on sustainable community development. These sites offer a host of useful information that can help your community with sustainable development efforts.

Urban and City Management Program of the World Bank Institute helps advance the knowledge and understanding of the broad range of urban issues among city officials, and to present the tools they need to plan, manage and govern their cities. While this site is more general in natue, it does include some information on sustainability.

Urban Ecology Australia is committed to evolution of socially vital, economically viable and ecologically sustaining human settlements--ecological cities--through education and example. The website includes project information, a publications list and news archives.

U.S. EPA's Green Communities Assistance Kit provides a comprehensive reference guide for identifying and resolving needs, interests and problems for a range of communities--urban, suburban and rural. 

U.S. EPA Region 3 Center for Sustainability offers resources to help communities ensure their long-term sustainability. Resources include information about sustainable deevelopment, green communities, livability, trends in sustainability and other resources.

Books/ Publications 

Anthology of Sustainability, Volume I 
1995, Greensboro Beautiful, Inc.  
This book presents a compilation of articles related to sustainability, which together provide a good overview of this movement. It is available from Greensboro Beautiful, Inc., P.O. Box 3136, Greensboro, NC 27402-3136, phone (910) 373-2199. 

Bound to the Earth: Creating a Working Partnership of Humanity and Nature 
1994, Avon Books. ISBN 0-38076-971-9.  
Using the forest as both metaphor and example, the authors offer a timely, much-needed blueprint and indispensable methods for integrating ourselves into the natural world, mimicking nature’s efficiency in production and recycling, discovering new energy sources, developing self-repairing systems and creating goods and services close to home, and limiting the needs of long-distance transportation. 

Building Healthy Communities: Resources for Compatible Development 
This book outlines how successful, compatible, development projects will need to combine the insights and tools from a variety of fields: natural resource management, strategic planning and leadership development, small business development, value-added processing, low-impact heritage and environmental tourism, zoning and land use planning. It is available for purchase from the Corporation for Enterprise Development, 777 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 410, Washington, D.C. 20002, phone 202-408-9788 or e-mail lkeeney@cfed.org. 

Building Sustainable Communities: An Environmental Guide for Local Governments 
1991-1992, Center for the Study of Law and Politics.  
Intended for local officials, this set of ten handbooks profiles successful projects and explains how to implement them. The topics include water conservation, solid waste, transportation, land use, energy and more. Available from the Center for the Study of Law and Politics, 2962 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94123, phone (415) 775-0791. 

Cities and Counties: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally 
1996, Public Technology, Inc. 
This book presents case studies of ten communities that have demonstrated administrative, fiscal, and policy tools that can be used by other communities to implement sustainable development initiatives. It is available from PTI, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004-1793, phone (800) 852-4934. 

Creating Community Anywhere: Finding Support and Connection in a Fragmented World 
1993, G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN: 0-87477-746-1.  
Offering practical advice and guidelines on creating sustainable, supportive communities, the book includes profiles of successful communities, the models on which they are based and solutions to common problems. 

Deep Design 
1996, Island Press, ISBN 1-55963-420-0. 
This book explores a new approach to design whereby buildings, technologies or communities are sensitive to living systems and can potentially accomplish their missions without the seemingly unavoidable side effects of pollution, erosion, congestion and stress.

Earth in The Balance 
1992, Penguin Books. ISBN 0-395-57821-3.  
Al Gore presents compelling and overwhelming evidence of the global environmental crisis and offers strategic recommendations for re-thinking our relationship and taking positive steps to preserve the Earth’s delicate balance. 

Ecological Design 
1996, Island Press. ISBN 1-55963-389-1.  
This book presents the idea that the world and humanity can be reunited if design is based on ecology. Ecological design, which the authors define as the marriage of nature and technology, is possible at all levels to create revolutionary buildings, landscapes, cities and technologies. The book presents design principles to build a more efficient, less toxic, healthier and more sustainable world. 

For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy Toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future 
1989, Beacon Press. ISBN 0-8070-4703-1.  
Demonstrating how our growth-oriented, industrial economy has led to environmental disaster, this book offers a new paradigm for economies, public policy and social ethics. 

A Guidebook of Financial Tools 
A reference work intended to provide an overview of a wide range of ways and means that are useful in paying for sustainable environmental systems, the book is divided into 10 sections, presenting outline information on approximately 250 financial tools. 

Livable Cities: A Grass-Roots Guide to Rebuilding Urban America 
1980, Holt, Reinhard and Winston. ISBN 0-03-056291-0.  
This book discusses the importance of uniting the economy and ecology so that we can take responsibility for environmental damage, as well as for the policies that cause that damage. Included are chapters on common concerns and challenges, such as population and human resources, food security, species and ecosystems, energy, and industry. 

Regenerative Design for Sustainable Development 
1994, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-55582.  
Offering a blueprint for implementing change to reverse damage to the environment, this book describes how to regenerate our resources rather than simply consume them and discard the waste. The book emphasizes proven regenerative practices for water use, land use, energy use and building design. 

Resolving Environmental Conflict: Towards Sustainable Community Development
1996, ISBN 1-57444-007-1 
This book explains the transformative approach toward facilitation, which allows for conflict outcome to be decided solely by the participants with a shared vision for the community--without such a vision, sustainability is not possible.

Rural by Design: Maintaining Small Town Character 
1994, American Planning Association. ISBN 0-918268-86-7.
The book provides answers to commonly asked questions about creative rural planning techniques, including alternative scenarios for conservation and development, implementation techniques, and examples of a wide variety of residential and commercial projects that have utilized creative design techniques. It is available from American Planning Association, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. 

Saving Cities Saving Money: Environmental Strategies That Work 
1992, Resource Renewal Institute. ISBN 0-932857-08-6.  
This book provides useful ideas to help communities extend resources and improve environmental quality. Tips are offered for saving money by promoting the efficient use of energy, water, materials, and land, as well as by recycling. Success stories of communities that have become self-reliant, curbed urban sprawl, and inspired their residents to strive for a sustainable future are presented.  

State of The World 
1996, Worldwatch Institute. ISBN 0-393-31339-5.  
The flagship publication of the Worldwatch Institute, an environmental research organization that analyzes data from many fields and which focuses on the relationship between the global economy and its environmental supports, this book presents the most current authoritative analysis available. 

Sustainable Communities: From Vision to Action
1998, Claremont Graduate University.
This book discusses how sustainability is applied to communities and how communities can restore social and ecological balance. Its chapters include Sustainable Community Concepts and Definitions, Creating a Vision for the 21st Century, The Four Greatest Challenges to Sustainability, Ten Key Ingredients for Building Sustainable Communities, Sustainability Indicators, and Ecological Footprint Analysis. It can be obtained from School of Politics and Economics, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA 91711-6163.

Sustainable Communities: Guide for Grassroots Activists
The first booklet introduces the key concepts and applications. The second booklet provides a ranges of ideas and activities for those wanting to develop their own community projects. Both are available for purchase from the Population Coalition, telephone (909)625-5717, e-mail.

Sustainable Communities: A New Design Synthesis for Cities, Suburbs and Towns 
1986, Sierra Club Books. ISBN 0-87156-800-4.  
Two experts on appropriate technology present a practical vision of how different types of American communities can make the transition to a way of life that encourages sustainability, reduces resource waste, balances consumption and production, and produces long-term social and ecological health. The book is available for purchase from The Sierra Club, Dept. SA, P.O. Box 7959, San Francisco, CA 94120-7959, phone (800) 935-1056.

Sustainable Community Checklist 
A workbook from the Northwest Policy Center designed to help communities start a local initiative and to introduce the practice of sustainability through first-hand experience, it is available for purchase from the Northwest Policy Center, telephone (206) 543-7900, e-mail. 

A Sustainable World: Defining and Measuring Sustainable Development 
1995, International Center for the Environment and Public Policy.  
Contributors to this book discuss, from a variety of perspectives, what sustainability and sustainable development really mean and how we know whether or not we’re moving toward a sustainable future. It is available from International Center for the Environment and Public Policy, P.O. Box 189040, Sacramento, CA 95818, phone (916) 442-2472. 

Timeline
A bimonthly magazine published by the Foundation for Global Community, a California nonprofit educational organization, dedicated to reconnecting people, the planet, and prosperity. Timeline focuses on cultural change, and has special themes for each issue. Issues include interviews with leading-edge thinkers, editorials, book reviews, and articles on systems thinking, sustainability, ecology, conflict resolution, social change and community building. Issues of Timeline are available at the web site above, or in printed form for $10 per year. A free sample copy is available by sending e-mail to canderson@globalcommunity.org (including your name, address, and indicating "SAMPLE").

Toward Sustainable Communities 
1997, New Society Publishers. ISBN 0-86571-374X. 
Offering practical suggestions and innovative solutions to a wide range of municipal and community problems, the book's topics include air quality, transportation and traffic management, energy conservation and efficiency, land use and housing, and sustainable economic and community development. It includes "Tools" and "Initiatives" sections to help readers achieve the goals of the chapter's topic, plus essential contacts and references, including e-mail and web addresses. 

Toward Sustainable Development 
2001, Hydro Tech International. ISBN 0-9688653-0-5.
This book "gives planners in all parts of the world, in particular those who are concerned with water resources, a broad look at planning in general and at sustainable development planning and management concept specifically."

Why Smart Growth: A Primer
Describing a new demand and opportunity to leverage growth toward community development and quality of life, this booklet is published by the Smart Growth Network and can be ordered from ICMA-Smart Growth Network, 777 North Capitol St. N.E., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20002-4201, phone (202) 962-3591, fax (202) 962-3500, e-mail.

Videos 

Rethinking the American Dream
Oregon State Extension Service.
This 20-minutes video -- available for free on-line viewing at the web site above -- helps viewers think about their current lifestyles, and presents individual choices that can improve our natural environment and personal quality of life. The video focuses on what Americans report is most important in life: health, fulfilling work, education, connection with family, friends, community and the natural world, and spirituality. It points out how merely consuming"stuff" and increasing material wealth can get in the way of achieving these important goals.

Sustainability Video Series
Griesinger Films. 
A set of four new videos that "express fundamental concepts of sustainability...in the language of economics." The videos are titled An Introduction to Ecological Economics, Investing in Natural Capital, Conversation for a Sustainable Society, and Costa Rica Counts the Future. Most include a study guide.  

Sustainable Environments 
The Video Project.
This video explores all aspects of sustainability and illustrates its importance. It is available from The Video Project, 200 Estates Drive, Ben Lomond, CA 05005, phone (800) 475-2638.

Slide Shows

Sustainable Development – A New Strategy for Healthy Communities  
Act Locally – Small Town Solutions to Global Problems 
These two slide shows feature outstanding examples of community sustainability in both urban and rural areas. 

Software 

Community Planning Software Plus (CPS+) 
This CD-ROM package provides geographic information system software and abundant data to help you understand the demographic and economic traits of your neighborhood, city and state. 

This Place Called Home 
This CD-ROM package, produced by the Alliance for Community Education, serves as a resource library to stimulate ideas for positive, sustainable action in communities.  The package includes video, photographs, audio, and pages of text from books, articles, interviews and speeches. 

Last updated: February 3, 2005

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