What is “green zoning” and how can I promote it among municipal officials in my own community?
Green zoning refers to local zoning ordinances governing building and development that seek to preserve open space/ green space, reduce demand on natural resources, promote energy efficiency and make cities generally more livable. It can encompass a broad range of strategies including restrictions on scale, clustered housing or minimum building density requirements, affordable housing mandates, low-impact development (LID) or more effective stormwater management, requiring LEED certification for new construction, fines for idling cars, rebates on energy efficient light bulbs and offering more transit options and bicycle lanes, among others. The cities of Austin, Texas, through its Sustainable Communities Initiative and Keene, New Hampshire, through its Climate Resilient Communities program, were pioneers in adopting green zoning ordinances.
