Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is a real and significant threat to humankind. Our response to this threat presents opportunities to create more livable, equitable and economically vibrant communities. By using energy more efficiently, harnessing cleaner and renewable energy to power our buildings, enhancing access to sustainable transportation modes, conserving our resources, recycling our waste, and developing vibrant local food systems, we can keep dollars in our local economy, create jobs and improve the quality of life of our citizens.

While it may not be possible to reverse some of the damage caused by climate changes, its cost to society can be lessened through efficient mitigation policies. The cost of mitigation can be partly reduced by avoiding policies that encourage irreversible investments in the first place. The uncertainty and irreversibility of the impacts of climate change may justify policy action even if the marginal cost of mitigation exceeds the marginal damage of one additional ton of carbon.

Developing more sustainable communities with the resilience to both mitigate emissions and adapt to a changing climate requires, in part, land use planning practices that create and maintain efficient infrastructure, ensure close-knit neighborhoods, preserve natural systems, and encourage a sense of community. It also requires the engagement of decision makers at multiple levels and the prescription of innovative solutions. Land use regulations, transportation infrastructure investments, storm and waste water management, and building standards are some of the traditional tools used to shape the development of human habitats. Adapting these tools, and developing a new palette to work from is critical if we are to effectively address the great challenges to sustaining the built environment that lie ahead.

This issue looks at planning for sustainable communities with an emphasis on climate change. What are the approaches, methods and tools needed to shape the development of human habitats and ensure their sustainability into an uncertain future of climate transformation?

Dr. Brian Deal
Guest Editor

• climate change
• climate planning
• land use sustainability
• local impacts
• models
• carbon neutrality
• energy conservation
• sustainable planning