Creating Sustainable Communities in the Southeast

Communities are in a global competition for talent; people want to live in places with a clean environment, economic opportunities, and a diverse culture. As a result, sustainability has become a desirable characteristic of communities—and local leaders are paying attention to it. Decision makers ready to act for the first time may be unaware of or even overwhelmed by the broad variety of options available to them. For this reason, the Southeast Climate Resource Center at Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions has compiled a list of 10 ways local governments in the southeastern U.S. are approaching sustainability. Discussions of these emerging trends are accompanied by examples of work taking place in the region. Additional examples of each trend can be found without difficulty elsewhere in the region and in others.

Author(s): Amy Morsch

Published: February 2011

download: policy brief (.pdf) >