Talks and Workshops

This paper is a summary of what a “Sustainable Economic Development Planning” effort would add to the typical existing level of local/regional economic development planning and strategy efforts in the U.S. “Economic development planning” in this context recognizes that development of the regional economy is one of the primary desired results of community efforts to plan and manage its development within the region’s carrying capacity. To maximize development in a sustainable manner, economic development planning must consider in a whole system context: Economic capital: Land uses and growth patterns / Energy systems / Transportation systems / Business & private built and financial capital / Natural Capital: Water systems / Air quality / Natural habitats / Human Capital: People skills and health / Social capital (organizations) / Shelter The value added by a Sustainable Economic Development Plan (SEDP) can be summarized as: Linkage of economic and community development with the region’s sustainable ecological carrying capacity (see Section 1.2 below) and human/social capital development. What will be affected primarily includes: Land use patterns and developments; Business and individual technology deployment. Tighter, more effective coordination between various government planning agencies/processes, and between governments and private sector organizations and individualsWhole-systems long-term approaches that reduce costs, enhance benefits, reduce frustrations and disconnects, empower citizens - Visioning of an environmentally and socially sustainable regional economy and strategies to achieve the visionThis system is applicable to economic development planning in any region around the world, and for purposes of the Sustainable Resources conference will be specifically related to Local Agenda 21 and other existing models for sustainability planning in non-US locations.

Catamount Institute
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