Local planning related links: Sustainable Development

• Center for Excellence in Sustainable Development Department of Energy site for information about communities that have discovered the benefits of sustainable development; technical and financial resources that help communities plan and carry out sustainable development projects; and model codes and ordinances communities have used to implement sustainable development. 

• Center for Neighborhood Technology This organization works in the Chicago area to support self-sufficient neighborhood economies with appropriate technologies.  

• Community Stewardship Exchange This site provides information, contacts and examples to promote community-based strategies that preserve and protect the ecological integrity of protected lands while meeting the economic aspirations of adjoining landowners and communities. 

• Institute for Local Self-Reliance This nonprofit research and educational organization provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies.

• International Institute for Sustainable Development This group advances sustainable development policy on trade, the economy, climate and natural resource management.

• Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide The guide is a design tool that can be used to overlay environmental issues on the design, construction and operation of both new and renovated facilities.

• Rocky Mountain Institute This nonprofit research and educational foundation works to foster the efficient and sustainable use of resources as a path to global security. 

• Sustainable Communities Network This group addresses a broad range of issues and resources by increasing the visibility of what has worked for communities and promoting a lively exchange of information to help create community sustainability in urban and rural areas. 

• Sustainable Development Gateway This site integrates more than 1,600 links, a calendar of events, a job bank, the Sustainability Web Ring and listings of electronic mailing lists, and news sites dealing with sustainable development.

• Sustainable Development Initiative The Initiative is a collaboration of business, government and civic interests to promote policies, institutions and actions that ensure Minnesota’s long-term environmental, economic and social well-being. 

• Sustainable Measures Develops indicators that measure progress toward a sustainable economy, society and environment.

• Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods This University of Louisville site has links to information on homeownership, economic and community development, community design and environmental justice.