Sustainable Communities: City Planning for the Future

Northwest Crossing in Bend, Oregon is one example of a sustainable community

Do you live in a sustainable community?  Would you know what one looks like, if you did?  Green neighborhoods include a number of elements to help conserve energy, encourage pedestrian and bicycle use, promote safety and minimize travel time.

City planning for the future will be explored in more depth at the International Eco District Summit in Portland, Oregon, from October 25-27, 2010.  Held at Portland State University, you can learn more about Eco District concepts including neighborhood centers, mixed-use development, urban parks, streets and sidewalks that are designed as much for bicycles and pedestrians as cars, and a range of housing options (apartments, condos, small homes).

As a long-time land use attorney, I’ve been fortunate enough to work with city and county planners to help improve the livability and sustainability of many residential neighborhoods and mixed-use development projects during the course of my career.  Starting with an overall goal (say 100 units of housing), we’ve worked with nearby residents, soils and water experts, and sustainable designers and architects to transform a merely functional development into one that practically begs you to come live and work there.

Want to learn the secrets?  The Portland Sustainability Institute invites you to attend the International Eco District Summit where you can:

• Deepen your understanding of the EcoDistricts Initiative and similar projects around the globe
• Connect with companies, practitioners, and policymakers involved with pilot programs and catalytic projects that drive urban innovation
• Share and learn from integrated district scale sustainability projects (district utilities, green buildings, smart grid, transportation, urban habitat, water management, waste management and community development)

Sustainable neighboroods in Oregon

Portland Mayor Sam Adams encourages attendance at the EcoDistrict Summit, noting that:

The Summit is the premier annual global conference dedicated to neighborhood-scale sustainability innovation and is the place for municipalities, businesses, developers, architects, planners, engineers, and citizens to share lessons learned and build community.

For a full program schedule, click here.

To register now for the International Eco District Summit, click here.