Interest in planning for sustainable communities has dramatically increased in the past few years in New Jersey. It has been estimated that as much as 60% of the content of sustainability efforts will need to be addressed at a local level (Selman, 1996). Conversely, although different communities have different priorities and needs, local sustainability is always contingent on sustainability at higher levels. Therefore, it is necessary to translate knowledge of sustainability imperatives and ecological limits that manifest at the global and regional levels into understanding and action at the local level.

New Jersey Sustainable State Institute is currently working with a number of communities to develop new models and implement sustainable community plans. Recent projects include Highland Park, Trenton, Hillsborough and Princeton. With each community we are creating comprehensive strategic plans for sustainable development that set goals for the future, use indicators to track progress, and develop action plans that have roles for local government, citizens, businesses, schools, and civic organizations. Each plan is created as part of a public dialogue that incorporates local desires for the future and an understanding of the impact every community has on regional and global sustainability issues such as urban sprawl and global warming. ...

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