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Over the years, a number of different terms have been used to define what it is that we do, when we encourage the conservation of resources, balanced with strong, thoughtful economic development. “Conservation development” at one time was the buzz word, used very broadly. Then came “Smart growth”, and “Balanced Growth.” Lately, we have been hearing another word, “Sustainable” and its various forms, especially “Sustainable Development”. It may be the best term yet, because it can apply to many aspects of activity, from land use, to business waste recycling, to architectural design, to federal policy. All of these activities are linked, and we need to address the question of sustainability on all levels if we are to succeed in achieving our goals. So how does sustainability apply to land use decisions in rural and exurban areas of Northeast Ohio?

Sustainable development is defined as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (United Nations) In land use terms, that means efficient use of land and infrastructure to avoid waste; reuse and reinvestment in existing areas; conservation of resources for the health and well-being of ourselves and future generations; and decision making that addresses quality of life, recognizing that a strong quality of life leads to a strong economy, by attracting and retaining jobs, businesses, and highly qualified workers.

Specific land use solutions that can help us to grow sustainably are:

• Creating compact, attractive, walkable neighborhoods with a mix of land uses
• Preserved open space, farmland, historic and critical environmental areas
• Making development decisions that provide a wide range of housing and transportation choices
• Using materials and methods that conserve resources
• Making decisions through a fair, open and predictable planning and development process

Many of us already know that Northeast Ohio is the best place to live on earth. If we make new development sustainable, and reinvent existing development over time, we will find that we can continue to have that “best place” – and our land use decisions will contribute to a high quality of life, and a sustainable, economically strong future for all of us.