This book is intended as a resource for elected officials, municipal staff, and citizens who would like to apply the concept of sustainable development in their communities through an ecosystems approach to human settlements management. The subcomponents of human community life and its impact on the environment are explored. Included are tested,…

While librarians deliver a vital public service within diverse communities, they are often invisible in the community development process initiated by civic planners, activists, and local government officials. This book challenges librarians everywhere to get involved early and often by demanding a place at the community planning and development…

Community based instruction for severely handicapped students is a central way of enhancing independent living skills in the student's natural environment. Teaching skills in the settings in which students will be required to use them helps to facilitate the development of both skill acquisition and skill generalization. On-site instruction…

Describes a simulation game which introduces concepts and problems associated with community planning. Initial activities include a role-playing exercise focusing on decisions related to a vacant lot; implications for various decisions are noted. Also gives suggested questions to address when planning a town. (DH)

The KIDS Consortium is a private, non-profit organization that seeks to promote, facilitate, and institutionalize the involvement of children and youth in their communities in Maine. Kids as Planners, the central program of the KIDS Consortium, gives students the opportunity to become apprentice citizens by working with adult citizens in hands-on…

Environmental planning requires more than finding the right technology and a source of funds. Planning involves consideration of the social, cultural, economic, and natural environments in which the project occurs. The challenge is to develop sustainable food systems that have reasonable production but do not degrade the resource base and upset…

Explains how studying a floodplain can help students analyze the interactions between humans and the physical environment. Analyzes data from two cities in California to demonstrate that housing prices did not rebound after a flood. (GG)

The California city of Rancho Cucamonga has been given the task of developing a 4-square-mile area into a productive venture. There is already freeway access and a cargo railroad line, but sewer lines and various other services must be added. This lesson plan stipulates that student teams, each representing a specific interest in the business…

Presents six steps for organizing community forum programs: establish forum steering committees; enlist community organization cosponsors; involve local media; develop related activities and community events; provide for panelist and moderator practice sessions; and develop forum promotional plans. Includes action steps for the forum coordinator.…

The school site design is now seen as part of community planning. Recreational, cultural, social, and educational facilities for adults are included in educational specifications. Three illustrations and two photographs demonstrated attractive school sites. Site area requirements for a new high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico are summarized. (MLF)

Describes an interdisciplinary program which uses simulation to investigate social, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of environmental change. Summarizes the underlying process, outlines topics and activities for each of the four phases of the program, and presents one sample activity for each unit. (DC)

Discusses the public library's role as an information provider for local government, and presents the results of a survey of specific information needs of local government planners in Victoria. The extent to which their needs are being met is evaluated, and suggestions for improved information services and future research are made. (CLB)

This environmental teaching guide is designed to help Illinois teachers promote wise land-use planning at the secondary level. Program objectives, background information, activities and games for use in and outside of the classroom, a simulated problem-solving exercise, resource lists, and a test with answers are included. (JW)

Both the teaching of the free enterprise system and the teaching of geography are an integral part of the guidelines for elementary school social studies in most states. The two have been combined into a resource unit for studying localities so that students may understand that U.S. citizens, the environment, and the economy are interdependent.…

A neighborhood vacant lot can be a vehicle for teaching children about architecture and community planning. A Portland, Oregon, teacher explains how studying the lot can involve exploring neighborhood history, gathering data on local needs, and designing an appropriate building. (PP)