Huntsville Sustainable Community Plan (HSCP)

The Town of Huntsville will develop a Sustainable Community Plan (SCP) to inform existing planning documents, and to develop a framework that incorporates the natural, social/cultural and economic environments and governance in all municipal plans and priorities. Building on the success of its 2008 Community Master Plan and grassroots interest in sustainable practices, the SCP will use an ecosystem approach to anchor municipal management and decision-making, foster environmental protection and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encourage partnerships, provide leadership in community education and engagement, and incorporate an implementation and evaluation process. Various tools, media resources and interactive techniques will be used to consult with seasonal residents, visitors and citizens. Huntsville has a unique opportunity to link this planning process with the G8 Summit it will host in June 2010, and to showcase sustainable design principles and their relationship to the SCP on an international stage via the Summit website. Other communities hosting major events will benefit from Huntsville’s experience in identifying sustainability linkages to these opportunities. The findings and process experience will also be applicable to other rural or small municipalities with many seasonal residents and a strong tourism sector.