SUSTAINABLE CITIES INSTITUTE

Since the inception of The Home Depot Foundation, we have worked to support efforts in environmental stewardship initiatives and provide proactive solutions to helping create healthy “green” communities. The desire to support healthy family and community life has inspired us to look at how we can help cities move more quickly toward sustainability. In addition, the economic and environmental case for green building is driving rapid change and demand for real-time information and access to practical expertise. In response, the Foundation has refined the focus of our efforts with a new progam, Sustainable Community Development. The cornerstone of this new program is the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI).

One of the Institute’s guiding principles will be that a sustainable community effort consists of a long-term, integrated and systematic approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by jointly addressing economic, environmental, and social issues. It is our hope that SCI will be a tool that you and your city can utilize for a holistic, long-term approach to sustainability planning and implementation of healthy communities.

SCI has two distinct parts: a website and a city program that includes a panel of sustainable development and planning experts.

• The SCI website is a dynamic online toolbox that was initially built by THDF, but will be shaped by its users, who post, comment and contribute to the website. THDF developed the SCI based upon input from sustainability directors, city leaders and technical experts. From its homepage, you will be able to navigate through technical silos including Economic Development, Water, Materials Management, Land Use and Transportation; as well as through classrooms, communication labs, a planning center and a library. In addition, there are forums, webinars, a calendar, City Profiles and an interactive “Sustainable City” map.
• The City Program, beginning with two pilot cities, is set for launch in early 2010. This will be composed of a panel of sustainable development experts who will serve as a resource to cities in developing and implementing sustainable community development plans. The Institute’s members will have access to experts with the expertise and experience in addressing issues as varied and interconnected as urban sprawl, inner-city and brownfield redevelopment, economic development and growth, ecosystem management, agriculture, hydrology, biodiversity, green buildings, energy conservation, watershed management, and pollution prevention.

Click here to download a PDF of the Pilot Cities Program Description.

Click here to download a PDF of Pilot Cities Program Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to check out the SCI website.