SUSTAINABLE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIESCOMMUNITIESAct Locally Think GloballyAct Locally Think Globally

The term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined whatThe term was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined whathas become the most oftenhas become the most often--quoted definition of sustainable development quoted definition of sustainable development

as development that "meets the needs of the present without as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their owncompromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.needs.““

Community Sustainability is the application of sustainable develCommunity Sustainability is the application of sustainable development opment principals to the activities and policies of a neighborhood, disprincipals to the activities and policies of a neighborhood, district or trict or

region through community action and initiative. The roots of theregion through community action and initiative. The roots of thesustainability can be traced back to the environmental movement sustainability can be traced back to the environmental movement of the of the

19701970’’s. Although that movement focused on preserving natural s. Although that movement focused on preserving natural resources, sustainable development now focuses on how human resources, sustainable development now focuses on how human

decisions affect natural resources, human health and future genedecisions affect natural resources, human health and future generations. rations.

“Our Common Future” 1987

A United Nations High Commission

Cycle of Sustainability Cycle of Sustainability Maintaining Comfortable Human Society while maintaining a enviroMaintaining Comfortable Human Society while maintaining a environment nment

which will support future generations through the employment ofwhich will support future generations through the employment ofsustainable economies of human actionssustainable economies of human actions

The Green Revolution Fertilizer pollution – Punjab India

Erosion

Fertility Decline

Monocultures Susceptibility to Collapse – Irish Potato Famine

Meat to Grain Loss Sustainable Agriculture

Impacts on the Nitrogen Cycle

Acid Rain

Collapse of World FisheriesThe Case of the Blue Fin Tuna

Depletion of Fresh Water

Water Table Levels ReductionsLong IslandPunjabKansas

Deep Sea Pollution

Ice Cap Melting and Water Levels

Ocean Temperatures and Coral Reefs

Human Impacts to the Water Cycle

Ozone Hole 1 st International SuccessReversed After Montréal Protocol

Acid Rain

Climate ChangeStorm Intensity and Storm Frequency

Global Warming – CO2 Emissions

Human Impacts to the Atmosphere

Carbon EconomicsPort Authority – Carbon NeutralBy 2030 – Utility Credits

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

CO2 – Green House GasesProduction by LivestockProduction by Industrial ActivityProduction for Power GridProduction by TransportationProduction by OceansProduction by Permafrost

Our Carbon Footprint

Earth’s climate is changing. Greenhouse gases are accumulating.and Human activities are the cause

Food Production Food Production

Is Food Production Limitless ???The Green Revolution – irrigation, irrigation high yield varitetyThe coming Green Revolution Food for 8 billion people – There is a sustainable limit

The Dangers of monoculturesThe Collapse of species

Global Initiatives Global Responsibilities

•1987 Montréal Protocol•1987 Bruntland Commission•1992 Rio De Janiero Earth Summit •1997 Kyoto Protocol •2008 Copenhagen Summit

Interconnectedness

Malthusian CorrectionsFamineDisease – Swine Flu - pandemicToxic PoisoningSystem Collapse - Extinction

The 2009 780 Billion Stimulus Package

A very green package :

80 Billion Dollars for Energy Efficiency and Construction Grants (400 million in discretionary DOE funding)

Weatherization AssistanceState Energy OfficesAlternate Fuel VehiclesResearch and Development (2 Billion)Smart Grid

6 Billion for Green Clean water and Green Technologies to USEPA

NYSERDA : 123 Million for State Energy Programfor competitive grants and by formula 175 Million for Energy efficiency andConservation Block Grants394 Million for Weatherization AssistanceAdditional Funds for Appliance RebateEnergy Star Program and AlternativeVehicles Pilot Grants

Land Use Law and Sustainability

International Efforts1987 Bruntland Commission : Our Common FutureKyoto ProtocolRio Declaration2002 Johannesburg Declaration 2009 Copenhagen Summit of Kyoto Protocol Parties

Zoning : Land Use Law for Sustainable Development : John

Nolan – Pace University NYStrum College of Law: Sustainable Development

Code Beta Version 1.2Smart Code : Form Based Zoning – Orange County

Web SiteSustainable Development Law Research Guide

www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex

Why and How of Sustainable Communities ?

Think Globally Act Locally

Each individual, group and community can Change their carbon footprint

Every one lives in a catchment Every one has an impact

Each of us can make a difference

Our life styleOur Family

Our Work PlaceOur Local Community

1. The ability of future generations to meet their needs are dependent on the actions of the present generation

2. Sustainable environments are healthier, more productive and cost efficient

Sustainable Standards

USGBC – LEED RATING SYSTEM

Port Authority sustainable design Project manualReduce Green House Gasses by 80% by 2050Carbon Neutral by 2010Promote sustainability among tenets and customersAdapt Facilities to Risk of Climate Change

GreenLites NYSDOT Project Design Certification Program

Energy Star Program

NYSERDA

Sustainable Design Standards

Renovations and New Construction

Sustainable Sites : Location – Walking/Biking Site Design ConsiderationsGreen

Water Efficiency : LandscapingLow Flush ToiletsGray Water

Energy and Atmosphere : HVACBuilding EnvelopeSolar, Wind &Geothermal

Materials and Resources ; Reuse - RecyclingRenewableLocalCertifications

Indoor Environmental Quality : Day LightingAir QualityCO2

s

Neighborhood Standards

Smart Location & LinkagesNeighborhood PatternGreen Construction

Sustainable Design Considerations

Project Types

Common Design Considerations

Focus on elements of Sustainable Site Design

Economic Incentives

Sustainable Site Design

Sustainable Site Design

Pervious Pavement

Vegetated SwalePervious Pavement

AWANEE CONFERENCE 1991AWANEE CONFERENCE 1991

All planning should be in the form of complete and All planning should be in the form of complete and integrated communities containing housing, shops, integrated communities containing housing, shops,

work places, schools, parks and civic facilities work places, schools, parks and civic facilities essential to the daily life of the residents.essential to the daily life of the residents.

Community size should be designed so that Community size should be designed so that housing, jobs, daily needs and other activities are housing, jobs, daily needs and other activities are

within easy walking distance of each other.within easy walking distance of each other.

Sustainable Master Plans -Goals and ObjectivesSustainable Community Connectivity EconomicsNatural ResourcesExamples : City of Newburg

Stewart AirportWest Orange Sustainable Master PlanBorough of Wanaque Master Plan Review Middlebury College CampusGreenburg Sustainable Master Plan Masdar UAE

Task A :. Review of the Sustainability Movement and Community Action Models withCommunity Leaders and Stake Holders

Task B : Hold Stake Holders Buy In to Sustainability and Establish Scope Task C : Formalize Visioning Plan for Sustainability in each Master Plan Element

1. Land Use Recommendations for the Built EnvironmentSustainable Community Models New Construction and Renovations (LEED Initiatives)Smart Streets (Smart Growth)Green/Alternative Forms for Redevelopment Recreation and integration of a healthful life style Health and Wellness Opportunities

2. Economic Development Opportunities Green business opportunitiesUrban food productionMixed Use AlternativesCommunicationsWireless ConnectionsGreen Product Availability

SUSTAINABLE MASTER PLAN OUTLINE

3. Historic Preservation Energy Education and Community HistoryEnergy conservation and historic structures Historic Heath Patterns

4. Community Facilities, Utilities and Recycling ElementUtilities – Energy Options Public Buildings – Energy Audits and Energy Savings PlanPublic Buildings – Green Products and User HealthRecycling - Program enhancements

5. Circulation Element Pedestrian Friendly OpportunitiesBike Friendly OpportunitiesPublic Transportation OpportunitiesCars, Parking, Low Emission Vehicles and

Alternative Fuel VehiclesOR Develop a Sustainability Element

Vision for a Sustainable Community Goals and Objectives Strategies for implementation

Participatory and Regulatory Actions

Sustainable Zoning Ordinances

Sustainable Zoning Code AuditDavid Church : Sustainable Zoning Code Audit

Review List of UsesDesign Performance StandardsAllow what you wantGreen Check List

Review against Sustainable StandardsSupport for Solar, Wind and GeothermalForm Based Zoning and TransectsBuilding Codes and Energy Codes

Sustainable Zoning CodeAwanee PrincipalsSmart Code – Form Based Zoning and

Transects

Act Locally Think GloballyPersonal commitment – Agents of Change – Your CatchmentHome and Work Place SustainabilityCommunity Sustainability Corporate Sustainability

ABA Committee on Sustainability The Sustainable Law Office

Questions ?