[[wiki-architecture]] · [[Urban Planning and City Architecture]] · [[ARCHITECTURE]] · [[000]] # Eco-municipality "Eco-municipality" has a specific meaning. For a more general discussion of the sustainability of cities, see Sustainable city. An eco-municipality or eco-town is a local government area that has adopted ecological and social justice values in its charter. The development of eco-municipalities stems from changing systems in Sweden, where more than seventy municipal governments have accepted varying principles of sustainability in their operations as well as community-wide decision-making processes. The purpose of these policies is to increase the overall sustainability of the community. Large scale social movements can influence both community choices and the built environment. Eco-municipalities may be one such movement. Eco-municipalities take a systems approach, based on sustainability principles. The eco-municipality movement is participatory, involving community members in a bottom-up approach. The distinction between an eco-municipality and other sustainable development projects (such as green building and alternative energy) is the focus on community involvement and social transformation in a public agency, as well as the use of a holistic systems approach. An eco-municipality is one that recognizes that issues of sustainability are key to all decisions made by government. == History == In 1983 the Övertorneå community of Sweden first adopted an Eco-municipality framework, followed by a formal organization in 1995 (SEKOM). == Framework == In becoming an eco-municipality, cities or towns typically adopt a resolution, based on the Natural Step framework (or Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD)), which sets the following objectives: Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels. Reduce dependence upon synthetic chemicals. Reduce encroachment upon nature. Better meet human needs fairly and efficiently. == Municipalities adopting framework == Communities in North America, Europe and Africa ranging in size from villages of 300 to cities of 700,000 have become eco-municipalities. In Sweden, over one hundred municipalities have officially become eco-municipalities. They have formed a national association of eco-municipalities to assist one another and work to influence national policy. Whistler, BC, was awarded first place in a United Nations-endorsed international competition for sustainable communities. Its long-term sustainability plan, Whistler 2020, is based on the Natural Step framework. In Wisconsin, there is a growing eco-municipality movement which began in the Chequamegon Bay region. As of November 2007, twelve local communities had formally adopted eco-municipality resolutions. The resolutions state the community's intention to become an eco-municipality, endorsing the Natural Step sustainability principles and framework as a guide. In Sweden, more than 70 cities and towns—25 percent of all municipalities in the country—have adopted a common set of "Sustainability Principles" and implemented these systematically throughout their municipal operations. There are now twelve eco-municipalities in the United States and the American Planning Association has adopted sustainability objectives based on the same principles. == See also == Ecovillage Eco-towns Green municipalism Sustainable city == Notes == == References == - [[Research, Analysis & Citations/Conversion Tables]] - [[Professional Practice/Codes & Standards/National Building Code of India/Part 05 - Building Materials]] - [[Design/Building Typologies/Hospitality Architecture]] - [[Professional Practice/Codes & Standards]] - [[Environmental Design/Sustainable Materials]] - [[Structures/Structure Systems & Design]] - [[Environmental Design/Strong Foundations for Sustainable Constructions/satellites]] - [[Structures]] - [[Professional Practice/Codes & Standards/National Building Code of India/Part 06 - Structural Design/Section 3B - Bamboo]] - [[Environmental Design/Design Psychology]] James, S. and T. Lahti (2004). The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers. ISBN 0-86571-491-6 == External links == National Association of Swedish Eco-municipalities Website of SEKOM Sustainable Sweden Association Website The Natural Step Case study TNS case study on North American Eco-municipality Network Sarah James Associates Consulting firm working in the field. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association Eco Municipalities links 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin page on Eco-Municipalities The American Association of Planners policy guide on sustainability. Sustain Dane Website on Dane (US) Sustainable Lawrence Website on Lawrence (Canada) Piscataqua Sustainability Archived 2013-11-26 at the Wayback Machine Website on Piscataqua (Canada)