The Role for Planning in Sustainable Communities
by Elaine Cogan

Communities throughout the country are see growing interest in sustainable development. Some ideas on how to take sustainability into account.

Communities throughout the country are witnessing an onrush of citizen interest and support for the concept of sustainable development. People have an almost intuitive understanding that our profligate ways of using our land, water, air, and human resources need to be reconsidered.

Although there is not a single, universally accepted definition of sustainable development, a good description is that it is a way of life that provides benefits to the economy, environment, and community livability without sacrificing one for the other. Achieving energy efficiency and utilizing green technology are common goals.

Planning, and the strategies, ordinances, rules, and regulations that carry out planning initiatives, can be among the most effective ways to create a sustainable community.

Regulatory reform is a major issue in many communities as they consider being more sustainable. Planners can contribute to that effort by reviewing their building and zoning codes to ascertain any unreasonable barriers to architects and developers interested in using the latest green techniques in building design, materials, and systems. Small turbine wind systems, eco-roofs, solar panels, and rainwater retention are just some of the many ways new and remodeled buildings can be more sustainable. When reexamining your rules and regulations, ask yourselves, "Do we reward or punish designers and developers who bring these and other new ideas to the permit counter?"

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