Here is a model of what not to do. Read this article about failed "smart growth" comprehensive planning efforts in Picayune, MS. If this example teaches one thing, it's that pre-selling and education is critical to any sustainable community planning effort. Thrusting a plan on a community without it ends up...well, read the article.
The National Charrete Institute is a nonprofit organization that offers community planners and leaders with tools and training on the art and science of using charretes to help drive sustainable community planning. In community planning, charretes offer a structured and systematic way to present and share ideas and visions of a community's future while fostering community-wide involvement and input.
Assessing the Theory and Practice of Land Value Taxation
At a time when local governments are increasingly strapped, the land value tax – taxing the value of land more than buildings – is an efficient source of revenue that avoids the negative effects that can accompany other taxes, such as local wage or income taxes, a new report from the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy states. According to the report, switching to a land value tax might result in a number of outcomes: lower house prices; more improvements per acre of land; higher population density; more employment and higher wages; and less sprawl.
Audubon International Announces Green Communities Program to Aid Towns, Cities, and Counties
Audubon International proudly unveils a new sustainability assessment approach for communities—the green Communities Program. The Green Communities Program (GCP) helps to determine the current state of municipal operations and community initiatives as a first step on the path towards sustainability. The Program provides a framework for an assessment, which establishes a baseline of a community's existing conditions; identifying local characteristics such as geography, natural resources, population levels, political, civic, and environmental issues and assets. Members identify opportunities and challenges to the fostering a healthy environment, high quality of life, and economic vitality.
Economic Growth and Sustainability Funding for Rural Areas Available
Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager today announced that USDA is accepting applications for business and community development grants to help rural communities create wealth, attract more residents, and become economically self-sustaining. The funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Opportunity Grant (RBOG) program, which provides grants for technical assistance and planning activities to improve economic conditions in rural cities or towns of 50,000 people or fewer. For more information: Click Here
Free Sustainable Communities Webinars Throughout 2010
The Sustainable Communities Webinar series by Audubon International continues throughout 2010. The next webinar, June 2nd, will cover Using Sustainability Indicators to Measure Success. Community leaders can learn the 'whats' and 'hows' of sustainable indicator selection and application in this 45-minute session.
To sign up for this introductory session or for more information Click Here.
