The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices (Paperback)

by Sarah James (Author), Torbjörn Lahti (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Sustainability may seem like one more buzzword and cities and towns like the last places to change, but The Natural Step for Communities provides inspiring examples of communities that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability and explains how others can emulate their success.

Chronicled in the book are towns like Övertorneå, whose government operations recently became 100 percent fossil fuel-free, demonstrating that unsustainable municipal practices really can be overhauled. Arguing that the process of introducing change-whether converting to renewable energy or designing compact development-is critical to success, the authors outline why well-intentioned proposals often fail to win community approval and why an integrated approach-not "single-issue" initiatives-can surmount challenges of conflicting priorities, scarce resources and turf battles.

The book first clarifies the concept of sustainability, offering guiding principles-the Natural Step framework-that help identify sustainable action in any area. It then introduces the 60+ eco-municipalities of Sweden that have adopted changes to sustainable practices throughout municipal policies and operations. The third section explains how they did it and outlines how other communities in North America and elsewhere can do the same. Key to success is a democratic, "bottom-up" change process and clear guiding sustainability principles, such as the Natural Step framework.

The book will appeal to both general readers wishing to understand better what sustainability means and practitioners interested in introducing or expanding sustainable development in their communities.

Sarah James is the principal of a community planning consulting firm. She co-authored the American Planning Association's Planning for Sustainability Policy Guide and has published articles throughout the U.S. on this subject.

Torbjörn Lahti was the planner for Sweden's first eco-municipality and is directing a five-year sustainable community demonstration project. He was instrumental in forming the Swedish National Association of Eco-municipalities.

About the Author
Sarah James is the principal of a city and town planning consulting firm specializing in participatory planning methods. She co-authored the American Planning Association's Planning for Sustainability Policy guide, and has published articles and given workshops throughout the United States on this subject.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865714916
• ISBN-13: 978-0865714915
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #12 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning
  #15 in	Books > Business & Investing > Economics > Sustainable Development
  #20 in	Books > Science > Technology > Renewable Energy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to foment sustainable revolution, February 12, 2006

By	Jennifer M (Duluth, MN USA) - See all my reviews

In the 1980s, Lahti's hometown of Overtornea, Sweden was dying. The worldwide recession left the village in an inhospitable climate with no major industry and a declining population. Lahti organized community residents and developed a plan to revitalize Overtornea using principles of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Thus was born the sustainability revolution in Sweden that is taking hold in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world. This is not a story, but a how-to manual. The king of Sweden has endorsed Lahti's methods and seen a resurgence of vital business throughout the country while reducing waste and fossil fuel consumption.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Book..., December 7, 2007

By	Justin M. Glodowski (Stevens Point, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Currently, my city is undergoing a move from an average municipality to becoming an eco-municipality. This change would have never been possible without this inspirational book. Our city is working at creating a system approach to change rather than doing one little thing at a time just like The Natural Step advises.

It has helped other cities in Wisconsin to become more sustainable and it truly has a lot of ideas in it. It uses a lot of referesnces to Sweden, but still leaves room to discuss how North America is pushing for change as well. This is a MUST read for anybody who works in municipal government or is an active community leader.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars flee, February 16, 2009

By	Forrest Butterfield "flee" (SW Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Read the book from my bother's recommendation. He, especially, liked the Heat and Thermal aspect/analogy as being one himself. The book is an interesting read, some far fetched solutions, but in general makes sense. Myself, not as enthralled, but will award a four star for interesting subject. My background from business and manufacturing just made me more of skeptic for the easy solutions. So many books written on sustainability or becoming self sufficient with Green low cost (long term) expense. I admit, I love these reads and dream with my Mother Earth magizine in hand.

First, I don't believe, poor communities would change that much unless the education and morality of neighborhood improved. That is, in my opinion, the biggest obstacle. Also, the Natural Step has always been with us. It is a natural progression. As with all experiments the success requires testing, analysis, cost benefit analysis, investments, communication, Engineering, sciences, and the such always based on quality of life, standard of living, or lower cost. For instance, read up on the technology of farming. It is amazing, the modern practices.

Some things to think about....would community gardens or private household hydroponics and Earthboxes may be a better alternative? Consider progress upon the medical sector as technology, meds, and statistical studies uncovering tremendous disease prevention improvements. Energy sector is currently in revolutionary phase with alternative fuels, energy storage, and efficiences. Electrical grid and power generation for long time has quietly been tested and improved upon technology.

May this be the biggest benefit to society to finally becomes interested in such matters? To actually invest in being part of the experiment? That merely becoming an intelligent consumer the most benefit. That increasing cost or taxes on unhealthy products to reflect true cost do as much? This would empowering open market solutions, which always have more power for change than government edicts. Also, may the entertainment or news industries just not equipped to do much informing or educating in non bias format. This may just be the Achilles Heel of our society and problem? Meaning it's just to easy to ingest garbage for fun/entertainment. May Hollywood be as toxic as Twinkies or Big Business? May the little tyrants upon community boards and code enforcers be as bad in stopping progression to sustainable neighborhoods? May the Trial Lawyers within reality be killing off imitativeness as it will always carry more liability and risk. May large central bureaucratic control be the biggest obstacle to change? These agencies empowered and put in place for health, safety, and environmental concerns yet the bureaucratic control just squash easy solutions and change. May reeling in these bureaucracies and instead allow more bottom up solutions be better. To communicate successes and replicate with some monetary incentives?