Land Use
A more holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions includes a variety of strategies and approaches in the realm of land use and management.
The understanding of land use decisions and land use management and their impact on climate change has been increasing. A decade ago, sustainability directors and environment departments would not have been considering their role in guiding or influencing land use decisions in their climate action strategies at the local level. But now, a more holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions includes a variety of strategies and approaches in the realm of land use and management and are detailed below.
Implement Green Infrastructure
Expand Green Space
Protect Blue Space
Adopt Codes for Sustainable Development
Equity and Land Use
There is a growing trend for cities to reimagine sustainable planning efforts with increased equity as a prominent outcome. Unfortunately, some previous actions for sustainable development have displaced low-income communities and communities of color through a process called ‘green gentrification.’ In the absence of effective housing policies, investment in sustainable improvements, such as green infrastructure, can lead to the displacement of the very communities green infrastructure can benefit most.
Therefore, before beginning any sustainable land use initiatives, cities should evaluate existing policies and engage with a wide variety of community members to ensure that greening efforts do not lead to displacement. Under-resourced communities should be protected from displacement so that they can benefit from the outcomes that sustainable land use can provide, including flood protection, transit accessibility, and urban park access.