Wecome to SLDI
January 2008

The formation of the first land development industry organization focused on sustainability was announced during the recent Land Development Breakthroughs Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) is an industry-led, cooperatively-owned organization of stakeholders joining together for a common purpose: to promote land development around the world that balances the needs of people, planet and profit - for today and future generations. Formed as a result of strong industry interest in taking the lead on sustainability issues, SLDI will utilize the proven business platforms provided by Land Development Breakthroughs conferences and workshops, as well as Sustainable Land Development Today magazine, to provide the following benefits to the land development profession:  

• an enhanced ability to develop effective relationships throughout the development process;
• ability to gain knowledge from a centralized and comprehensive resource to facilitate a holistic development process;
• ready opportunities to implement the body of knowledge in ways that create economic value for all stakeholders;
• available technologies that create real value throughout the holistic development process;
• positive public relations opportunities.

In order to fulfill its vision, SLDI has been organized as a member-owned, for-profit cooperative. Industry professionals have the chance to join SLDI as a member to gain knowledge, recognition, and valuable industry product and service opportunities. Members then have the right to achieve ownership status in the organization, providing a strong built-in motivational tool and competitive advantage in the marketplace.

As SLDI co-founder and a land developer for over 30 years, I believe it is an opportune time for the land development industry to step up and take responsibility for the sustainability of our civilization. Look for more complete information in the upcoming January issue of Sustainable Land Development Today magazine, or refer to the informational links below.

Your participation and comments are welcome.

Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International

• Sustainable Land Development International
• Sustainable Land Development Today Magazine
• George Washington - The Father of Modern Land Development 
• People, Planet and Profit

 

• The Year of Going Green: Clean Tech paves way for new Silicon Valley Industry
  (December 27, 2007) If there was a single event that crystalized the cultural embrace of environmental issues, it may have been the November day when former vice president Al Gore announced he was joining Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, the Silicon Valley venture capital firm, as a partner to focus on green businesses.
  Source: San Jose Mercury News

• Big Land Deal, Big Questions
  (January 2, 2008) When the government sells public land, the law usually requires competitive bids so taxpayers get the best deal.
  Source: The Seattle Times    

• The Goal is Green. So is the Incentive.
  (December 28, 2007) Frustrated by what they see as insufficient action by the federal government, municipalities around the country are offering financial incentives to get people to go green.
  Source: Herald (Florida)Tribune

• Solar Cell Production Jumps 50 Percent in 2007
  (December 31, 2007) Production of photovoltaics (PV) jumped to 3,800 megawatts worldwide in 2007, up an estimated 50 percent over 2006," says Jonathan G. Dorn, Staff Researcher at the Earth Policy Institute, in a recent release.
  Source: ENN

• Subprime Loans Shift to More Fixed Rate Products During the First Half of 2007
  (December 20, 2007) The percentage of subprime loans originated in the first half of 2007 that were fixed rate grew to 31 percent from 25 percent in the second half of 2006.
  Source: Mortgage Bankers Association

• Council Eyes Development Moratorium
  (January 2, 2008) Peachtree City may start the new year off with a bang Thursday night by halting all new retail and commercial development for three months to evaluate further development restrictions.
  Source: The Citizen

• City Urged to Build Plan for Sustainability
  (December 26, 2007) A handful of City Council members and other community leaders on the Charleston Land Trust this month decided to urge the administration of Charleston, WV to adopt its own sustainability plan.
  Source: Charleston Gazette

• Voters Take Land Use Into Own Hands
  (December 30, 2007) Nestled along the northern banks of the Withlacoochee River lies the village of Yankeetown, population about 760. A majority of Yankeetown's voters passed a charter amendment making it the second municipality in Florida to require voter approval of any comprehensive plan changes.
  Source: Orlando Sentinel

• N.C. Homebuilder goes Solar
  (December 25, 2007) By year's end, Deltec Homes will be using 100 percent renewable energy at its factory, making it North Carolina's largest private generator of solar power.
  Source: Cincinnatti Enquirer

• The City of Blinding Lights is Starting to see 'Green'
  (December 28, 2007) The latest marvel in the Nevada desert isn't a hotel casino. It's a solar thermal plant that provides peak power to nearby Las Vegas, one of the most unlikely places on the planet to be showing signs of environmental fervor.
  Source: Christian Science Monitor  

• Eat, Drink & Buy Local
  (January 2, 2008) Eating local isn't just a preference for fresh-tasting, usually hormone- and chemical-free food. Reducing the distance food has to go from the field to the kitchen is driving consumers to demand local, local, local.
  Source: The Arizona Republic

• Bringing Green Homes Within Reach: Healthier Housing for More People
  (January 2, 2008) To everyone's benefit, green homes link sustainable materials and practices with better human and environmental health.
  Source: Environmental Health Perspectives

• Kansas Town's Green Dreams Could Save its Future
  (December 28, 2007) After a tornado nearly destroyed Greensburg, Kan., in May, city leaders came up with a revival plan: make it the greenest town in America.
  Source: National Public Radio

• Big Energy Savings Dwell Here.
  (January 2, 2008) Dave Braden and his wife, Cathy, are putting the finishing touches on a home that's so energy efficient they expect to consume only 15 per cent as much energy for heating and cooling as a conventional place of the same size and design. Electricity consumption will be cut in half.
  Source: Toronto Star

• A Carpet of Green
  (December 31, 2007) The expansion of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business is being done with several eco-friendly measures in mind, and one of them is the addition of a roof covered in plant material.
  Source: Ann Arbor News