Cities
Building Community Prosperity Through Natural Capitalism
This document provides guidance for communities that are attempting to grow economically regardless of physical size. The guide lists dozens of ways communities are tapping their potential today through natural capitalism. Many of these actions are well known, others innovative. They distribute benefits widely across the community and they’re compatible…
Advancing the Regeneration of the Cuyahoga Valley
This report describes the Cuyahoga Regeneration Project, a community effort focused on several projects that simultaneously restore natural systems and strengthen economic development along the Cuyahoga River ship channel. The report contends that environmental restoration is no longer an option for American cities; it’s an imperative. Though many people regard…
Collaborating for Healthy Communities: The Path to a Sustainable Future
This paper offers a brief summary of the principles of community collaboration, describes how collaboration can proceed, and explains smart governance and active listening. Michael Kinsley argues that the path to a healthy community is not paved with charismatic leadership, increasing revenues, or technical expertise. Healthy communities are not formed…
Case Studies of Economic Analysis and Community Decision Making for Decentralized Wastewater Systems
This report was submitted to the National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project. It examines how communities consider and value the benefits and costs of different scale wastewater facility options (on-site, cluster, and centralized options) in monetary or other terms, and examines the driving issues, motivations, thought processes, and decision-making…
Grappling with Growth: Building a Strong Economy and Great Place to Live
This paper was written for communities that are conflicted over issues surrounding local growth and development. Michael Kinsley argues that the word, “growth” is deceptive and has many meanings. Separating the concepts of development (the things that make a community better) and expansion (the things that make a community bigger)…