Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Law Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Land Use Law

Pace University

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Sustainable development

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Law

Shifting Paradigms Transform Environmental And Land Use Law: The Emergence Of The Law Of Sustainable Development, John R. Nolon Jan 2013

Shifting Paradigms Transform Environmental And Land Use Law: The Emergence Of The Law Of Sustainable Development, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

We began these two decades reacting to the market’s interest in developing greenfields and coastal property and end it wondering how to prepare more urbanized places for a growing population of smaller households who seek the amenities of urban living and some protection from the storms ahead. This essay discusses this and nine other fundamental paradigm shifts in environmental and economic conditions that are reshaping the law and changing the way state and local governments control land use and order human settlements.


Land Use For Energy Conservation And Sustainable Development: A New Path Toward Climate Change Mitigation, John R. Nolon Jan 2012

Land Use For Energy Conservation And Sustainable Development: A New Path Toward Climate Change Mitigation, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Land use tools and techniques have impressive potential to reduce energy consumption, improve the economy, and mitigate climate change. This article explores the little understood influence of local land use decision-making on energy conservation and sustainable development and how it can mitigate climate change if properly assisted by the federal and state governments. The construction and use of buildings combined with extensive vehicular travel throughout the nation’s human settlements consume large amounts of energy, and much of that consumption is highly inefficient. By enforcing and enhancing energy codes, encouraging the use of combined heat and power and district energy systems, …


Integrating Sustainable Development Planning And Climate Change Management: A Challenge To Planners And Land Use Attorneys, John R. Nolon Mar 2011

Integrating Sustainable Development Planning And Climate Change Management: A Challenge To Planners And Land Use Attorneys, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This essay is based on our new book, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Law in a Nutshell (West 2011) which describes the close relationship between sustainable development and climate change management. It begins with a discussion of recent discussions and agreements at the international level and it provides a brief history of sustainable development and climate change policy. The article then explores national and local strategies to address sustainable development goals. Local planning and zoning, transit oriented development, energy efficiency and green infrastructure issues are also addressed.


Climate Change And Sustainable Development: The Quest For Green Communities, Part Ii, John R. Nolon Nov 2009

Climate Change And Sustainable Development: The Quest For Green Communities, Part Ii, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This is the second part of Professor John R. Nolon’s two-part series on climate change mitigation through sustainable development law. Part I ran in October 2009 http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/646/. In Part I, I argued that local governments should be partners with federal and state governments in managing climate change. This may sound incongruous to the ears of those listening to the debates over cap-and-trade legislation. In that context, state and local programs that cap, auction, tax, regulate, track, or otherwise attempt to manage greenhouse gas emissions are criticized on a number of grounds. The same can be said when the debate turns …


Climate Change And Sustainable Development: The Quest For Green Communities, Part I, John R. Nolon Oct 2009

Climate Change And Sustainable Development: The Quest For Green Communities, Part I, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This is the first of two commentaries that explore the role of local governments in mitigating and adapting to climate change through sustainable development strategies. They focus on the significant authority to regulate land use and building construction that is delegated to local governments by their states, and how that authority can be coordinated with the roles and responsibilities of state and federal governments to manage climate change and achieve sustainable development.