"Eco-municipality" has a specific meaning. For a more general discussion of the sustainability of cities, see Sustainable city.
An eco-municipality or eco-town is a local government area that has adopted ecological and social justice values in its charter. The development of eco-municipalities stems from changing systems in Sweden, where more than seventy municipal governments have accepted varying principles of sustainability in their operations as well as community-wide decision-making processes.Miranda Spencer (September 22, 2005) Building Sustainable Cities: Scandinavia's "Eco-Municipalities" Show the Way .sustainablebusiness.com. Retrieved on: November 5, 2007. The purpose of these policies is to increase the overall sustainability of the community.
Large scale social movements can influence both community choices and the built environment. Eco-municipalities may be one such movement.LaColla, T. "It's Easy to be Green! Eco-Municipalities: Here to Stay" . theplanningcommission.org. Retrieved on: 16 March 2009. Eco-municipalities take a systems approach, based on sustainability principles. The eco-municipality movement is participatory, involving community members in a bottom-up approach.
The distinction between an eco-municipality and other sustainable development projects (such as green building and alternative energy) is the focus on community involvement and social transformation in a public agency, as well as the use of a holistic systems approach. An eco-municipality is one that recognizes that issues of sustainability are key to all decisions made by government. Torbjorn Lahti and Sarah James (May 17, 2005) . Retrieved on: November 5, 2007
History In 1983 the Övertorneå community of Sweden first adopted an Eco-municipality framework, followed by a formal organization in 1995 (SEKOM).
Framework In becoming an eco-municipality, cities or towns typically adopt a resolution, based on the Natural Step framework (or Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD)), which sets the following objectives: Reduce dependence upon fossil fuels. Reduce dependence upon synthetic chemicals. Reduce encroachment upon nature. Better meet human needs fairly and efficiently.Alliance for Sustainability Ashland, WI and Duluth, MN become Sustainable Cities . Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.
Municipalities adopting framework Communities in North America, Europe and Africa ranging in size from villages of 300 to cities of 700,000 have become eco-municipalities. In Sweden, over one hundred municipalities have officially become eco-municipalities. They have formed a national association of eco-municipalities to assist one another and work to influence national policy. Whistler, BC, was awarded first place in a United Nations-endorsed international competition for sustainable communities. Its long-term sustainability plan, Whistler 2020, is based on the Natural Step framework.Sustain Dane Eco-municipalities: Where Are They?. Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.
In Wisconsin, there is a growing eco-municipality movement which began in the Chequamegon Bay region. As of November 2007, twelve local communities had formally adopted eco-municipality resolutions. The resolutions state the community's intention to become an eco-municipality, endorsing the Natural Step sustainability principles and framework as a guide.1,000 Friends of Wisconsin. Eco-municipalities: A Model for Sustainable Communities in Wisconsin . Retrieved on: February 10, 2008.
In Sweden, more than 70 cities and towns—25 percent of all municipalities in the country—have adopted a common set of "Sustainability Principles" and implemented these systematically throughout their municipal operations. There are now twelve eco-municipalities in the United States and the American Planning Association has adopted sustainability objectives based on the same principles.James, S. (2003). "Eco-municipalities: Sweden and the United States: A Systems Approach to Creating Communities". Retrieved on: 16 March 2009.
See also Ecovillage Eco-towns Green municipalism Sustainable city
Notes
References James, S. and T. Lahti (2004). The Natural Step for Communities: How Cities and Towns can Change to Sustainable Practices. Gabriola Island, British Columbia: New Society Publishers.
External links National Association of Swedish Eco-municipalities Website of SEKOM Sustainable Sweden Association Website TNS case study on North American Eco-municipality Network Sarah James Associates Consulting firm working in the field. Eco Municipalities links 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin page on Eco-Municipalities The American Association of Planners policy guide on sustainability. Sustain Dane Website on Dane (US) Sustainable Lawrence Website on Lawrence (Canada) Piscataqua Sustainability Website on Piscataqua (Canada)