ABSTRACT
The sustainability of a neighborhood is vital to the health of the environment and its inhabitants. Throughout the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, there has been a growing interest in prioritizing sustainability in all facets of life. Therefore, understanding what sustainability is and how it can impact our communities is essential. This chapter—like the book at large—investigates the origin and importance of sustainability in neighborhoods. The history and evolution of the sustainability movement will be explored in relation to neighborhood design. Negative aspects such as car dependency, traffic congestion, urban sprawl and environmental degradation will be looked at as elements to be rethought. The pillars and principles of sustainability will be explained and measuring indexes of the environmental impact will be introduced. Finally, in-depth plans for a new sustainable neighborhood in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada will be illustrated, demonstrating the application of the abovementioned principles.
