Over the past several decades, numerous planning movements have taken root within the United States. With names like "Urban Renewal," "Garden Cities," "Healthy Cities," "Smart Growth," "Eco-Cities" and "Sustainability," these programs promote ways to create, protect, preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of life in cities, towns and suburbs, especially in regards to the natural environment. This guide to the best practices of these programs introduces the rapidly evolving field before presenting more than 40 case studies of communities that are effectively "going green." An assessment of the future of these towns and cities and resources for citizens and officials seeking additional information conclude the work. By compiling these success stories, this handbook makes an excellent resource for anyone seeking to facilitate the restoration of the natural environment within their community.

This volume is based on an international literature search of the best urban planning practices being used in dozens of cities around the world. Such topics as green technology, conservation, infrastructure maintenance, alternative energy, downtown business districts, and recycling are covered, with many others. Additional information is provided for each community: population, location, website. There are eight appendices: periodicals bibliography, glossary, list of acronyms and abbreviations, U.S. state municipal league directory, both U.S. and international planning and development resource directories, international local government directory and U.S. state library resource directory. Thoroughly indexed.

Over the past several decades, numerous planning movements have taken root within the United States. With names like "Urban Renewal," "Garden Cities," "Healthy Cities," "Smart Growth," "Eco-Cities" and "Sustainability," these programs promote ways to create, protect, preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of life in cities, towns and suburbs, especially in regards to the natural environment. This guide to the best practices of these programs introduces the rapidly evolving field before presenting more than 40 case studies of communities that are effectively "going green." An assessment of the future of these towns and cities and resources for citizens and officials seeking additional information conclude the work. By compiling these success stories, this handbook makes an excellent resource for anyone seeking to facilitate the restoration of the natural environment within their community.

This volume is based on an international literature search of the best urban planning practices being used in dozens of cities around the world. Such topics as green technology, conservation, infrastructure maintenance, alternative energy, downtown business districts, and recycling are covered, with many others. Additional information is provided for each community: population, location, website. There are eight appendices: periodicals bibliography, glossary, list of acronyms and abbreviations, U.S. state municipal league directory, both U.S. and international planning and development resource directories, international local government directory and U.S. state library resource directory. Thoroughly indexed.