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Land Use Planning, Biological Conservation and Open Space Preservation
Related Information
Sustainability Webinars
View and listen to past webinars and register for upcoming ones.
What's Hot
- The HUD/DOT/EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities has launched a website, to make it easy for communities to find resources and grant announcements!
- Follow EPA 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition, 245 buildings finding ways to improve energy efficiency.
- EPA publishes Local Government Climate and Energy Strategy Series. Get more information on energy efficiency in affordable housing, transportation control measures (TCMs), and smart growth!
Land use planning is a critical element in developing vibrant and livable communities while ensuring economic vitality. Development of compact areas, even in small downtown areas, can reduce travel times, help preserve open space and reduce the commercial pressure to sprawl.
Biological conservation and open space preservation also garner high levels of public support because of the attractiveness of open spaces and their value to local residents both socially (aesthetic appeal and recreation opportunities) and economically.
What You Can Do
Informed planning and insightful land management are great ways for our communities to benefit socially as well as environmentally. Communities can pass green building ordinances that establish performance standards for public or private construction and solicit citizen input on how community land is managed.
- Promote community gardening in open spaces
- Bring farmer’s markets into your neighborhood
- Implement greenscaping programs in public spaces
Success Story:
Established in 1978, GreenThumb remains the nation's largest urban gardening program, assisting over 600 gardens and nearly 20,000 garden members throughout New York City. This program fosters civic participation and encourages neighborhood revitalization.
Resources
Playbook of strategies for green buildings and infrastructure
EPA Managing Open Spaces
EPA Region 2 Green Building’s Page
EPA Greenscaping
Community Gardening in New York City
What is Smart Growth?
