VERMONT DESIGN INSTITUTE
sustainable community development and problem-solving through holistic design and planning
Definition of Sustainable Community Design
Community design is a collaborative planning process with the immediate goal of improving the quality of life for all community members of the ecosystem—from the smallest insects to us humans, and from the waterways to the skies above.
Effective and inclusive community design creates economic opportunities for local residents at different scales of interest—from global interconnections to bioregional needs—which are ecologic in their premise and application, have restorative qualities, and enhance the long-term viability of life.
Sustainable community planning and design depends on alternative forms of energy and transportation. Lifestyle patterns, consumption habits, and production technologies change to accommodate “closing the loop” and living with a no-waste policy.
Sustainable community design allows for protection of open space, regeneration of native vegetation, stormwater mitigation, increased green space, local food production at various scales, and sensitivity to public-private zones.
When successful community design increases the community’s knowledge of ecosystems, history, cultural landscape, and sacred ground.