Livable Communities Resource Guide

"ASLA created a new online resource guide on livable communities. The guide contains lists of organizations, research, concepts and projects related to livable communities, and includes sections on: sustainable land use, place making, green schools, sustainable housing, sustainable employment growth, and health, safety, and security. Developed for students and professionals, the resource guide contains recent reports and projects from leading U.S. and international organizations, academics, and design firms."

Livable Communities Resource Guide

The Economic Benefits of Parks

The economic benefits of urban parks shouldn’t be underestimated. A 2003 study found that real estate values were higher on blocks closest to well-maintained parks. A 2007 study found that New York's Central park accounted for $395 million in economic activity. Parks also have environmental benefits and provide valuable ecosystem services.

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Can Urban Trees Reduce Crime?

New research suggests that trees can reduce crime. The study found that buildings with high levels of greenery had 52 percent fewer crimes and medium levels of greenery had 42 percent fewer crimes when compared to buildings with no greenery. The study also found that students perform better when surrounded by trees and children with attention disorders can minimize their symptoms by spending time in green spaces.

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Green Community Makeover Movement

Hundreds of contractors, distributors, and retailers installed more than 25 sustainable landscape projects July 17-18 during the first-ever Extreme Green Community Makeover in Sugar Grove, IL. The event was the prototype and official launch of Aquascape’s “Green Community Makeover Movement.”

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Greenroofs Save Water

Greenroofs can make your city more environmentally friendly. Many American cities are beginning to incorporate them into their planning ordinances because they recognize that, planting a rooftop garden can offset heat, increase city biodiversity and decrease stormwater runoff. Studies show that a greenroof can retain from 30-75 percent more water from storms than a building without one. Read the article

Food for Thought...

3000 years ago, not only did the Maya people practice forest management, but when they abandoned their forest conservation practices it was to the detriment of the entire Maya culture.
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White Pages Look To Go Green

"Each year, an estimated 5 million trees are cut down just to publish the White Pages phone book. It's hard to cut down on the environmental harm because many states require phone companies to publish and deliver white pages phone books to every landline subscriber. On Wednesday, Whitepages.com, an online directory, released a survey of 1,000 adults showing the great majority of people want laws to allow people to 'opt-in' if they want a hard copy of the white pages."

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New Remote Sensing Technology Utilized in Wisconsin

For the first time, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), a cutting-edge remote sensing technology, was applied to a species-specific forestry application.With the support of RFP Mapping LLC and its partners, David Sivyer, Forestry Services Manager for Milwaukee, WI, was able to map all of the ash trees within his jurisdiction.
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