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 balanceA place where the quality of life is recognized and capable of definitionA place that has a sense of itselfRecognizes and acts on our relationship to the natural environmentUses 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 Places

And Small Places

Or Open Spaces

And Panoramas

And Idyllic Lives

Sometimes a Place Under Assault

A Place of Poverty of the Spirit

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KEY ISSUES

Incomes

Age Structure

Land Use

Health Care – Elderly – Green Cities

Decline

Tourism

Resources

World Metro Engine

More Developed Regions Less Developed Regions0

20

40

60

80

100

1950 2040 1950 2040

Sustainable Metro’s?

5 - 10 Million Persons 10 - 15 Million Persons 15 Million Or More0

5

10

15

20

251970

1985

2000

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

22

3478

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