Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities
Background
The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities technical assistance program is delivered by EPA staff and EPA-hired consultant teams. Each technical assistance project spans a period of roughly eight months, including public engagement through a two-day workshop, the involvement of relevant decision-makers and potential public and private sector partners, and a report outlining the workshop process and specific next steps generated that the community could take to achieve its goals. The workshop focuses on the issues and priorities determined by the community.
The benefits each community gets from the process vary by project and are specific to the community. Some common benefits include:
- Engagement with residents and stakeholders around a specific topic, which yields valuable feedback and ideas as well as creating buy-in and community spirit around proposed initiatives.
- Creation of key partnerships and relationships both within the community and with state and federal staff and programs.
- The creation of a locally driven and expert-guided action plan that is both attainable and ambitious.
In past rounds of technical assistance, EPA has focused on topic areas such as infill development, equitable development and green and complete streets, as well as special topic areas like emerging mobility and regional disaster resilience. The tools typically consist of:
- Agendas, presentations and exercises to help facilitate discussion around a given topic.
- A targeted self-assessment, which helps the community and EPA team delve deeper into local issues to identify the most promising areas for progress.
- An action-oriented and inclusive process that leads to an achievable next steps and partnerships.
Once EPA has used a tool in several communities, it may be refined to create a product that any community can use with limited outside assistance. Many of these products are highlighted below.
Applying for Assistance
We are not currently accepting letters of interest for the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program.
If you have questions about the program, please read the Frequently Asked Questions About Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities.
Partner Communities
2025 Partner Communities
Building Blocks is supporting five communities in 2025 to identify and implement development options that reduce the impact of urban heat islands on human health and contribute to cleaner air, land and water.
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Portland, Oregon
- Toledo, Ohio