 
Sustainable Design and Land Development
The sustainable design concept recognizes that human civilization is an integral part of the natural world and that nature must be preserved and perpetuated if the human community itself is to survive. Sustainable design articulates this idea through developments that exemplify the principles of conservation and encourage the application of those principles in our daily lives. Green building, which integrates appropriate land use, building design, and construction strategies to reduce these environmental impacts, is probably the most well-known sustainable design concept.
PATH' Sustainable Development/Affordable Housing Pilot Program is an initiative of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, which is working in collaboration with the State's largest utility, Public Service Electric and Gas. The program promotes sustainable development in the context of affordable, energy-efficient housing.
Environmental Building News
Newsletter on environmental responsible design and construction.
Building Greener, Building Better: The Quiet Revolution
This publication outlines the environmentally friendly approach to land development and housing construction and includes case studies on wetlands, open space and storm water management collaborations developed by the Ohio, Connecticut and Alabama state HBAs, respectively.
Enviromentally Green...Economically Green: Tools for a Green Land Development Program
NAHB Research Center publication for local-level practitioners who want to incorporate green land development practices into their work. This publication can be ordered from the NAHB RC bookstore.
The Practice of Low Impact Development July 2003
This publication presents a land development process--Low Impact Development (LID)--that uses various land planning and design practices and technologies to conserve and protect natural resource systems and reduce infrastructure costs.
A Report on the Feasibility of Deconstruction January 2001
Deconstruction is the process of selective dismantling or removal of materials from buildings before or instead of demolition. Based on a study of four urban communities, this report details how communities can potentially use deconstruction to support and complement other community objectives.
Green Building
NAHB Research Center's green building information, including the September 2000,
Green Building Resource Directory.
U.S. Green Building Council
Sustainable design tools and resources available to green building practitioners and building industry stakeholders through the USGBC and other organizations.
Green Building Design and Construction
Information on green building design and construction, including the California Integrated Waste Management Board's sustainable building grant program and links to related publications.
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Provides information on economic and environmental housing.
NAHB's Smart Growth Resources
Smart Growth means meeting increased housing demand in "smarter ways" by planning for and building to higher densities, preserving meaningful open space and protecting environmentally-sensitive areas.
Planners Web
City and regional planning resources, including publications, articles, guides, links to other sites.
Urban Land Institute
Facilitates public and political debate on urban issues, offers publications, journals, reports and databases.
U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network
Helps communities adopt sustainable development approaches that benefit the local environment and quality of life.
Sustainable Development Principles
Principles developed by DOE's Smart Communities Network to help guide sustainable development efforts.
Content updated on 4/7/2006
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