EPA programs Support Walkable communities Anne E. Keller, Ph.D. EPA Region 4 Senior Sustainability Advisor

Sustainable Community Economic Environmental Social Most of you have seen this type of diagram before. But to emphasize the components of a sustainable community, I’m including it here. At some points in our history, we have focused more on one element than the others. But to establish or achieve a sustainable community, nation and world, we have to consider all three simultaneously. Sometimes this is referred to as the Triple Bottom Line. Many of our top companies now consider all three in their planning and evaluation of goals—Microsoft, Interface, Sustainable Community

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Walk Audits Complete Streets Neighborhood Planning for Healthy Aging Bikeshare Planning

Green Infrastructure Rain gardens, swales, wetlands, greenspace, green roofs Low impact development Using rainwater as an enhancement Many benefits Reduces sewer overflows Cleans stormwater Groundwater recharge Decreases flooding Protects stream water and bank quality Provides community space and involvement Improved air quality Wildlife habitat Climate change mitigation Uses rainwater to enhance irrigation