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Incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals into the Planning Process

This course focuses on the many ways planners can infuse sustainability into local planning activities and policies using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guiding framework.

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Course Info

  • Duration 8 video lessons (66 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2021
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Browse Course Chapters

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    1.
    Introduction
    Chapter Duration 2 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Introduction to Sustainability Plans
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
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    3.
    Sustainability Plan Case Study
    Chapter Duration 12 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals Into Local Activities
    Chapter Duration 8 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals Into Local Activities Part 2
    Chapter Duration 14 mins
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    6.
    Overcoming Resistance To Sustainability Planning
    Chapter Duration 9 mins
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    7.
    Communication And Outreach
    Chapter Duration 5 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    8.
    Wrap-Up
    Chapter Duration 5 mins

What You Will Learn

  • Understand the process of developing a Sustainability Plan
  • Explore the pros and cons of developing a Sustainability Plan
  • Connect the UN SDGs to local activities and practices
  • Identify opportunities for incorporating sustainability into planning practice
  • Explore strategies for overcoming potential resistance to incorporating sustainability into local activities
  • Develop strategies for education and communication about the importance of sustainability

Course Description

Building on the first course in this series, Planetizen Courses dives into the variety of ways planners can incorporate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their communities. The course begins with a discussion of how to create Sustainability Plans geared specifically toward goals and strategies related to sustainability—a common in communities working to center sustainability as a community value.

In some communities, however, adding another plan to a shelf already full of plans might not be the best approach. Instead of spending a year and limited resources on another plan to add to the collection, planners might be better served by looking for ways to incorporate sustainability into a variety of the daily activities of a city. This might mean rethinking transportation projects to promote alternative modes. It might mean reviewing ordinances that serve as barriers to affordable housing. Or it might mean incorporating Low Impact Development standards into new projects.

Successful sustainability efforts require support from elected and appointed officials as well as the community at large. Given the politicization of sustainability, consensus can be a challenge. Planners need to prepare for how to communicate concepts and build support for sustainability. When planners can point to projects that are improving people’s lives, creating opportunities, and supporting sustainability across the environmental, economic, and social spectrum, it's possible to make significant progress toward sustainability. And that local effort contributes to a global impact.

Learn these skills

  • Bicycle Planning
  • Civic Engagement
  • Environmental Planning
  • Land Use
  • Pedestrian Planning
  • Sustainability
  • Transportation
  • Urban Design
  • Walkability

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1.25 AICP CM Credits.

AIA CES

This is 1 LU.

SACPLAN CPD

This course is approved for 1.5 SACPLAN CPD point.

CIP

This course is eligible for self-reported CIP unstructured CPL units.

Meet Your Instructor

Chris Holtkamp

Chris Holtkamp

Chris Holtkamp is a certified planner and is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Planning at the University of Wisconsin River Falls.

Meet Instructor

Course Reviews

4.45
Christopher Balerna

Christopher Balerna

Satisfied
Liz Axelson AICP CPL

Liz Axelson AICP CPL

Extremely Satisfied
Chris Holtkamp applies what we learned through the 3 Pillars of Sustainability and then the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals describing how they are woven into planning processes, including sustainability and comprehensive planning and land development reviews in modern American communities. He braces us for community concerns, questions and fears about change, pointing to opportunities for outreach in person and at community events. These interactions may result in openly discussing sustainability measures and better public understanding and support for the implementation process. Excellent examples are noted such as the Madison Sustainability plan. Another excellent session by Mr. Holtkamp!
Natalia Rosario

Natalia Rosario

Extremely Satisfied
Dana Burghdoff

Dana Burghdoff

Extremely Satisfied

Course Reviews

51%
45%
3%
1%
0%
Christopher Balerna

Christopher Balerna

Satisfied
Liz Axelson AICP CPL

Liz Axelson AICP CPL

Extremely Satisfied
Chris Holtkamp applies what we learned through the 3 Pillars of Sustainability and then the 17 United Nations sustainable development goals describing how they are woven into planning processes, including sustainability and comprehensive planning and land development reviews in modern American communities. He braces us for community concerns, questions and fears about change, pointing to opportunities for outreach in person and at community events. These interactions may result in openly discussing sustainability measures and better public understanding and support for the implementation process. Excellent examples are noted such as the Madison Sustainability plan. Another excellent session by Mr. Holtkamp!
Natalia Rosario

Natalia Rosario

Extremely Satisfied
Dana Burghdoff

Dana Burghdoff

Extremely Satisfied
Daniel Hedglin

Daniel Hedglin

Satisfied
Michael Schuler

Michael Schuler

Satisfied
Joshua King

Joshua King

Extremely Satisfied
Thank you for your service.
David Kois

David Kois

Extremely Satisfied

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