SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Developing America

What is Sustainable? Essentially, being sustainable means balance and the effective use of all resources to meet today’s needs while ensuring that an adequate stock of resources is available for future generations Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Sustainable Community The sustainable community is a model – an ideal type comprised of a set of goals that we may work towards

Changing Community Before local areas can provide the sustainable quality of life that will be demanded by communities in 50 years, we will need to change our perception of “community” and translate these perceptions into practical methods

A Vision Alice Asks the Cat: “would you tell me please which way I ought to go from here?” “It depends a good deal on where you want to go” “I don’t much care” – says Alice “Then it does not matter which way you go” “As long as I get somewhere” “You are sure to do that – if you only walk long enough”

A Few Discussion Points Where are the sustainable societies? What is the CHARACTER of community? What is Fine Grained Planning? What is a DISTINCTIVE community? What is a Compact Community?

Characteristics A place that is in population balance A place where the quality of life is recognized and capable of definition A place that has a sense of itself Recognizes and acts on our relationship to the natural environment Uses technology as a means – not an end

Characteristics - 2 Optimizes its resources Maintains capacity to function as a living place A place that is responsive Place that preserves heritage A place that “grows smart”

Ideas "Sustainability is the [emerging] doctrine that economic growth and development must take place, and be maintained over time, within the limits set by ecology in the broadest sense - by the interrelations of human beings and their works, the biosphere and the physical and chemical laws that govern it... It follows that environmental protection and economic development are complementary rather than antagonistic processes." -- William D. Ruckelshaus, "Toward a Sustainable World," Scientific American, September 1989.

Just a Thought "The net worth of the 358 richest people in the world now equals the combined income of the poorest 2.3 billion, who comprise 45 percent of the world's population. " (UNDP Choices) The depreciation of education, health care, environmental protection and other services diminish the well-being and resilience of human communities. The fear of job loss is destabilizing and unemployment leads to a wide range of social ills.

Selling Sustainability This location is a town of over 6,000 people. It was first called Poplar Grove, later InnisVail, then Innisfail. The town's name comes from the Gaelic to mean "Isle of Destiny". Its people are hard workers with a positive attitude. Today, Innisfail, is one of the most desirable places in the wild rose province of Alberta, if not all of great Canada, to live, love and linger.

Selling Environment Mayor Pat Newman beamed with pride as she uttered, "the facilities we have in Innisfail for recreation and leisure enjoyment make us an attractive place for people to live." People moving to Innisfail are very impressed with the recreation facilities available.

Selling Location

Local Balance?

SUSTAINABLE IMAGERY

Of Remote PlacesPlaces

And Small Places

Or Open Spaces

And Panoramas

And Idyllic Lives

Sometimes a Place Under Assault

A Place of Poverty of the Spirit

CONDTIONS TRENDS KEY ISSUES Incomes Age Structure Land Use Health Care – Elderly – Green Cities Decline Tourism Resources

World Metro Engine More Developed RegionsLess Developed Regions

Sustainable Metro’s? Million Persons Million Persons15 Million Or More

The Real Story The real story of the rural area is the elderly. In U.S. communities under 5,000 – one in three persons will be aged 65+ by 2020.

Growth in Elderly

Growth Has Limits Growth Occurs within some limits – the ultimate limit is the carrying capacity of the environment THERE IS A COMFORT ZONE IN ALL GROWTH PLANNING

Values Cultural Diversity SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IS ECLECTIC IN APPROACH. IT PLACES AN EXTRAORDINARY VALUE ON THE MAINTENACE AND CREATION OF REAL – AUTHENTIC CULTURAL VALUES AND ICONS

Respect For Other Life ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OD SHARED SPACE IS AN OVERARCHING CONCEPT

Adherence to Historic Features

The Planning Form ALL PLANNING SHOULD BE A COMPLETE INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY CONTAINING HOUSING, SHOPS, WORK PLACES, SERVICES AND CIVIC LIFE.

Neighborhoods Scale

Communities Must Have A Center Focus

Pedestrians Must Be Part of the Center System

Maintain The Green

Well Defined Edge

Local Focus THE MOST VALUABLE ASSETS OF A COMMUNITY ARE THE ONES THEY ALREADY HAVE

HUMAN INVESTMENT