WASHINGTON, DC - The American Society of Landscape Architects has announced a new series of comprehensive online resource guides on sustainable design and planning. Created for national and local policymakers, government agencies, design professionals, planners and students, the guides include hundreds of project case studies, research papers, organizations and other government resources on sustainable design aggregated for the first time. The announcement took place at the ASLA 2009 Annual Meeting and EXPO in Chicago.
With expanding urbanization and increased competition for scarce resources, cities and local communities face immense challenges ranging from overburdened infrastructure to decreasing amounts of green space. Sustainable design practices can mitigate the effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions, aid in adaptation to climate change, clean air and water, reduce the urban heat island effect and increase the health and wellbeing of residents all while providing significant long-term savings through lower heating and cooling energy costs, higher property values and viable, livable communities. The guides provide the "best of the best" resources and award-winning projects that offer real economic, social and environmental benefits.
The five online resources include:
Green Infrastructure: www.asla.org/greeninfrastructure covers park systems, wildlife habitat and corridors, urban forestry and green roofs.
Sustainable Transportation: www.asla.org/sustainabletransport covers sustainable transportation planning, sitting sustainable transportation infrastructure, designing safe and visually appealing transportation infrastructure, green streets and reducing the urban heat island effect.
Sustainable Urban Development: www.asla.org/sustainableurban covers fighting sprawl, sustainable zoning, reusing brownfields, investing in downtowns, open spaces and sustainable urban design.
Livable Communities: www.asla.org/livable covers sustainable land use, place making, green schools, sustainable housing, sustainable employment growth and health, safety and security.
Combating Climate Change with Landscape Architecture: www.asla.org/climatechange covers site planning, open spaces, plant selection, stormwater management and other areas.
ASLA is also looking for additional or new resources on these topics. Those interested in submitting research, case studies or other items can contact ASLA at info@asla.org.
Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing 17,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use the "ASLA" suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession.
Source: American Society of Landscape Architects