Sustainable Community Development: Studies in Economic, Environmental, and Cultural Revitalization

Marie Hoff Boise State University

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Cat. #: SL1299 ISBN: 1574441299 Publication Date: 3/4/1998 Number of Pages: 264

The 1990s were marked by a wide-spread awareness of the convergence of environmental, economic and social problems and issues. Many local workers have begun to recognize that servere setbacks or even collapse of their local economy is strongly related to environmental problems: either to the depletion of local resources (such as timber, fish, or minerals) or to servere pollution and degradation of the local ecosystem.

This in-depth collection of case studies of urban and rural communities committed to a process of sustainable development provides a more detailed description of this dynamic process than was previously available. This provocative book demonstrates the commonalities in approach across a wide variety of environmental and cultural settings, examining an emerging consciousness from cultural, economic, social and environmental viewpoints.

• Includes international as well as urban and rural examples
• Each chapter includes a narrative of the strategies which led to revitalization and an analysis of strengths, limitations and replicability of these methods and approaches
• Emphasizes communities which have adopted, or are working toward, harmonizing environmental sustainability with their economic and social development
• Includes examples of "the human factor" such as: evidence of improved social relationships and decreased conflict among groups in the local community; new or restored community customs and rituals of celebration and leisure activity; new socialization and skills-building opportunities for youth; new or expanded leadership and skills-development for adults deprived of opportunities in the former economic regime