The go-to guide for those seeking a comprehensive approach to sustainable community development, from the neighborhood to the regional level Toward Sustainable Communities is the definitive guide to the what, the why, and most importantly, the how of creating vibrant, healthy, equitable, and prosperous places. This fully revised 5th edition introduces the innovative Community Capital Compass as a powerful tool for maximizing the social, economic, and environmental benefits of complex community and regional decisions, and has been completely revamped to serve US as well as Canadian and other international readers. Those seeking a comprehensive approach to sustainable community planning and development from the neighborhood to the regional level will benefit from: An expanded Community Capital framework which organizes community resources into eight interrelated forms of capital – natural, built, organizational, political, financial, cultural, human, and relational The Community Capital Compass for navigating complex situations involving everything from municipal services and land use planning to housing and climate change, to help determine strategic directions by illustrating dynamic interactions, synergies, and tradeoffs Elaboration of collaborative governance, community mobilization, public engagement, capacity building, infrastructure, policymaking, and best practices Companion website featuring case studies, profiles, online resources, interactive tools, and more. Packed with concrete, proven solutions, this "living book" is the go-to guide for sustainable community development, and required reading for current and aspiring professionals or practitioners, policymakers, educators, purpose-driven organizations, engaged citizens, and anyone concerned about their communities and a sustainable future.

This book is drawn from a three-year participatory research project with four communities in British Columbia: two municipalities and two Aboriginal communities. It examines historical and contemporary forces of restructuring, linking the development of rural communities with the legacy of resource development and Aboriginal marginalization across the province. The book then presents the theoretical and practical dynamics of the community economic development (CED) process and outlines a variety of strategies communities can initiate to diversify their local economies. Second Growth shows that sound theoretical frameworks and tested best practices are important tools in facilitating the prospects for a second growth in rural and small-town communities.