According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the term “sustainable communities” describes places “where use of resources and emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants are going down, not up; where the air and waterways are accessible and clean; where land is used efficiently and shared parks and public spaces are plentiful and easily visited; where people of different ages, income levels and cultural backgrounds share equally in environmental, social and cultural benefits; where many needs of daily life can be met within a 20-minute walk and all may be met within a 20-minute transit ride; where industry and economic opportunity emphasize healthy, environmentally sound practices.
A model of sustainabe communities would have neighborhoods
sporting healthy amounts of green space and shared vegetable gardens; mass transit, biking and walking replacing the majority of automobile traffic; and mixed use communities where schools, residences and commercial spaces are near each other and are powered by solar panels, geothermal heat pumps or windmills.
Sustainable communities are economically, environmentally and socially healthy and resilient and meet challenges through integrated solutions rather than through fragmented approaches. Sustainable communities take a long-term perspective, focusing on both the present and future, well beyond the next budget or election cycle sothat the needs of the current as well as future generations are met with adequate resources. ISC adds The success of a community’s efforts to be sustainable depends on its members’ commitment and involvement as well as leadership that is inspiring, effective and responsive.