ABSTRACT
One of the core tasks of sustainability planning is to help human communities coexist with the natural world. Although it includes the traditional goal of wilderness conservation, the scope of environmental planning has greatly changed over the years. Whereas 100 or even 50 years ago environmentalism sought primarily to protect and conserve existing wilderness, species, and ecosystems, now increasing effort goes toward restoring what has already been damaged or built upon, as well as educating humans about their relationship with the natural world. To put it another way, the eco-city of the future is one in which the gray urban world is radically greened and residents are reconnected with living systems. This process will improve not only environmental sustainability, but human health and quality of life within our communities.
