Reports Help Sustain Fifty Forward Program

The first of the Fifty Forward vision papers, on the topic of sustainability, has been published and is available at here. The paper covers many of the issues discussed at the Sustainability Forum held on April 10, 2008, and the ensuing steering committee meeting, technical committee meetings and neighborhood forums hosted by the Civic League. Over the course of these meetings, approximately 400 people were engaged in the discussion about the present and future sustainability of the Atlanta region.

The primary focus of the report on sustainability is the triple bottom line of economic development, environmental preservation, and social equity on a regional scale. Fifty Forward participants said they want it all, conservation and development distributed equitably around the region. ARC thinks this is possible by emphasizing new development and redevelopment in areas well-served by infrastructure, as well as the permanent protection of greenspace and natural resources.

Some of the specific topics covered in the Sustainability Report are:

• The Green Economy
• Greenspace
• Sustainable Development
• Water
• Recycling
• Local Agriculture
• Transportation

In the coming months, a report will be published regarding Demography and Diversity, and another will follow covering the topic of Megaregions.

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