Eco-municipality

:"Eco-municipality" has a specific meaning. For a more general discussion of the sustainability of cities, see Sustainable city."

An eco-municipality, (also known as an eco-town) is a local government area that has adopted ecological and social justice values in its charter. The development of eco-municipalities stems from chaing systems in Sweden, where more than seventy municipal governments have accepted varying principles of sustainability in their operations as well as community-wide decision making processes. [Miranda Spencer (September 22, 2005) [http://sustainablebusiness.com/features/feature_template.cfm?ID=1269 Building Sustainable Cities: Scandinavia's "Eco-Municipalities" Show the Way] .sustainablebusiness.com. Retrieved on: November 5, 2007.] The purpose of these policies is to increase the overall sustainability of

The distinction between an eco-municipality and other sustainable development projects (such as green building and alternative energy) is the focus on community involvement and social transformation in a public agency as well as the use of a holistic systems approach. An eco-municipality is one that recognizes that issues of sustainability are key to all decisions made by government. Many eco-municipality projects also incorporate the Natural Step into their change processes. [Torbjorn Lahti and Sarah James (May 17, 2005) [http://www.wisconsinplanners.org/Ecomunicipalities/EcoMunicipalitySynopsis.pdf The Eco-municipality Model for Sustainable Community Change: A systems approach to creating sustainable communities] . Retrieved on: November 5, 2007]

History

In 1983 the Övertorneå community of Sweden first adopted an Eco-municipality framework followed by a formal organization in 1995 (SEKOM).

In 2007, the UK Communities and Local Government (CLG) department announced a competition to build up to 10 eco-towns in England. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7010888.stm BBC article on Gordon Brown's eco-towns announcement] ] In early 2008, CLG announced a shortlist of 15 bids that will be considered for eco-town status. [ [http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture CLG's consultation on the 15 shortlisted eco-town sites] ]

Framework

In becoming an eco-municipality, cities or towns typically adopt a resolution, based on the Natural Step framework, which sets the following objectives:
*Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels.
*Reduce dependence upon synthetic chemicals.
*Reduce encroachment upon nature.
*Better meet human needs fairly and efficiently. [Alliance for Sustainability [http://www.afs.nonprofitoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B2E02B44E-ED9D-4C45-B7C7-A670267AE29A%7D&DE=%7B037A8207-109E-46C0-B083-E96FD3882316%7D Ashland, WI and Duluth, MN become Sustainable Cities] . Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.]

Municipalities adopting framework

Communities in North America and Europe, ranging in size from villages of 300 to cities of 700,000 have become eco-municipalities. In Sweden, over sixty municipalities have officially become eco-municipalities. They have formed a national association of eco-municipalities to assist one another and work to influence national policy. Whistler, BC, was awarded first place in a United Nations-endorsed international competition for sustainable communities. Its long-term sustainability plan, Whistler 2020, is based on the Natural Step framework. [Sustain Dane [http://www.sustaindane.org/Pages/ecomunicipality_where.htm Eco-municipalities: Where Are They?] . Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.]

In Wisconsin, as of November 2007, twelve local communities had formally adopted eco-municipality resolutions. The resolutions state the community's intention to become an eco-municipality, endorsing the Natural Step sustainability principles and framework as a guide. [1,000 Friends of Wisconsin. [http://www.1kfriends.org/Eco-Municipalities.htm Eco-municipalities: A Model for Sustainable Communities in Wisconsin] . Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.]

ee also

* Ecovillage
* Sustainable city

Notes

References

* James, S. and T. Lahti (2004). "The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices." Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers. ISBN 0-86571-491-6

External links

* [http://www.sekom.nu/ National Association of Swedish Eco-municipalities]
* [http://www.sjamesassociates.com/ecomunic.htm Sarah James Associates] Consulting firm working in the field.
* [http://www.wisconsinplanners.org/Ecomunicipalities/index.htm Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association] Eco Municipalities links
* [http://www.1kfriends.org/Eco-Municipalities.htm 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin] page on Eco-Municipalities
* [http://www.planning.org/policyguides/sustainability.htm The American Association of Planners] policy guide on sustainability.
* [http://www.stophanleygrange.org.uk Stop Hanley Grange]