Community Planning

Community planning has a significant effect on whether an area is sustainable or not. Communities should be planned more as a community and less as individual houses sharing one location. An urban area that is designed to bring people together will result in a greater sense of community. It is also important to get the whole neighbourhood behind initiatives when planning; this will make the whole process of change easier. Proper planning of a community can help increase the social capital of the area by getting people involved, and developing a sense of safety and trust.

Community planning can include diversifying types of housing and types of sectors (residential, business etc.). These two factors alone can a have major influence on the sustainability of a community. For example if there are businesses and other sources of work close to residential areas people will not have to commute as far, reducing auto emissions and increasing social capital.

A sustainable community can mean different things to different people and can be created in a variety of ways. But no matter what, it is important element and adds many benefits to the community and the environment.