Resources
Essential Reading
Sustainometrics: Measuring Sustainability – Design, Planning and Public Administration for Sustainable Living is an essential new book by W. Cecil Steward and Sharon Kuska, detailing the use of the EcoSTEP℠ tool. EcoSTEP℠ can be applied at any scale of design, planning, or sustainability problem-solving. It is a method which has been effectively used in pre-design programming, neighborhood and regional assessments, post-occupancy evaluations of industrial buildings, and comparative analysis of similar buildings, among others. The book can be purchased from Design Intelligence Bookstore: http://www.di.net/store/sustainometrics.
This website is replete with research and study resources. Among the most highly recommended papers are the following four reports. Click on the title to download a PDF of the report.
Developing and Sustaining Creative Cities: A Sustainability Tool for Designers, Planners, and Public Administrators, a report prepared by W. Cecil Steward and Sharon Kuska for the Sustainable City and Creativity: Promoting Creative Urban Initiatives conference in Naples, Italy, in September 2008
The 5 Domains & EcoSTEP: An Introduction: A Needs Assessment for Training and Education for Community Sustainability, a paper by W. Cecil Steward introducing the underlying principles of sustainability and key data and information for a four-part needs assessment for sustainability training and education
A Design, Planning and Urban Administration Strategy for Sustainability, a paper by W. Cecil Steward and Sharon Kuska, presenting a paradigm and a tool for guiding the designer, planner, or administrator through a lifetime of conservation-based, sustainable practices
Envisioning Regional Design, the 34-page final report of our pathbreaking charettes studying six areas within the Omaha-Lincoln metroplex. Click here to download the executive summary of the initiative.
Our initiatives have produced important studies as well. Following is a list of Joslyn Institute initiatives and their related reports, imagery, and/or work that resulted from them. Click on the name to go to that page.
The Five Domains of Sustainability
The EcoSTEP™ Tool for Measuring Sustainability
Also of import is W. Cecil Steward’s bimonthly Green Column. Steward delves into topics as diverse as cities’ five-year plans and the importance of eating local foods.
In addition, we recommend the following papers by third parties.
Natural Resource Amenities and Nebraska’s Economy: Current Connections, Challenges, and Possibilities, a report by Ernie Niemi of ECONorthwest in Eugene, Oregon, that examines the current status of, and potential for natural resource- related, amenity-driven economic growth in Nebraska
An Assessment of the World Agriculture Report, a report by Twyla Hansen, quality system administrator at Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)