Spring 2010

Sustainable Development & Climate Change

See Information Meeting dates and locations.

This Certificate Program provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable community development practices in an era of climate change. Designed with working professionals, career changers, and adult students in mind - this innovative new program can be completed within a six-month period. Classes address the full spectrum of sustainable development issues and rating systems with a special emphasis on leading edge community planning that reduces our reliance upon fossil fuels. Step by step, detailed instructions on how to prepare a climate action plan will also be provided. All courses will be held in Sonoma State's acclaimed Environmental Technology Center - and are open for enrollment to students not pursuing the full certificate program. (CM credits pending)

Who Should Attend

  • Planners and AICP members
  • Public Policy-makers and Administrators
  • Architects, Engineers, and Designers
  • Building Industry Professionals
  • Career Changers
  • Adult Students
  • Anyone interested in Sustainable Development and the Green Economy

Global Sustainable Development in the Age of Climate Change

This course introduces exciting sustainable community development practices from around the world - including bold planning and architecture that dramatically reduce carbon and ecological footprints. The history of the sustainability movement - including landmark world forums and declarations - are presented. Taught with an international perspective in mind, examples are provided to further challenge and inspire anyone wishing to assist communities go green.

Natural Systems & Environmental Sustainability

This course offers a solid background in the science behind sustainability. Focusing on natural systems and agriculture, this class provides the fundamental principles and documentation behind accelerated climate change - and traces historical examples of large- scale disruptions with disastrous consequences. The course also outlines a wide range of best management practices to preserve open space, restore sensitive habitat, and protect and enhance agriculture.

The Built Environment: Sustainable, Climate Friendly Design

This course focuses on the causes of suburban sprawl and presents design alternatives to achieve sustainable, climate friendly communities. Successful city planning examples dating from ancient times to the present will illustrate how cities can be planned and built to dramatically reduce energy use and increase our health and enjoyment of public spaces. A detailed review of time tested urban design techniques, including Northern California examples, will help provide class members with the tools to influence future development.

Preparing Climate Action Plans

Planning in California is undergoing a rapid transformation; the state has placed an emphasis on incorporating "Climate Action Planning" in new project analysis and deliberation. The challenge is to understand what this means and how it can be accomplished. There is no state manual, but state agencies have expressed what should be included and how it should be presented. The strongest regulatory mechanism for requiring these plans will be based on the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), which may take effect as early as 2012. Those engaged in state and local planning will find this one-day course as important to them as their introduction to CEQA.

Sustainable Development: Economic, Equity, and Resiliency Issues

There is an intersection between economics and sustainability that has been recognized as important and transformational. Green building, green industry, zero-waste sustainable goods production, sustainable agricultural practices, and related approaches are creating new subsectors of the US economy. Unsustainable development and practices may have short-term gain but will have costly consequences for the environment and equally for the individuals trapped in poorly designed, cheaply developed, polluted, or blighted areas. This one-day course will address the implication of sustainable versus unsustainable development and economics.

Plan Now for a Sustainable Future

There is a socio-economic transformation underway regarding sustainability initiatives. In every sector of the economy there are companies who have taken the path toward greater sustainability for a broad range of reasons: environmental protection and stewardship, economic and fiscal vitality, social and intergenerational equity, and keeping up with the competition. This transformation is affecting public policies, pushing technological breakthroughs, and stimulating lifestyle changes. This one-day course offers participants a real-time update on the vanguard of this transformation and expectations for the future.

Certificate of Completion

In order to be awarded the Sustainable Development & Climate Change Professional Certificate of Completion students must complete all six days of instruction. Students must attend all class sessions although sessions may be taken out of sequence, but completed within two years of your first course in the program.

AICP (CM) Credit pending approval. Contact Marcia Harrigan for more information.

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