A toolkit for integrating sustainability and resilience into municipal and county master plans
The Together North Jersey (TNJ) region faces mounting environmental challenges, including loss of natural and agricultural land, vulnerability to flooding, and the far-ranging impacts of climate change on our economy, infrastructure, health and natural resources. Local plans, programs and policies play a major role in addressing these challenges and promoting and protecting quality of life for current and future generations.
This toolkit explains how municipalities and counties should plan for and implement an environmentally sustainable and resilient future through their master plans. The TNJ Resilient Task Force developed the toolkit to help communities advance the TNJ vision for a Competitive, Efficient, Livable and Resilient region.
Within the toolkit, you will find:
- Information on planning best practices
- Guidance on how to ensure people of all backgrounds enjoy the benefits of environmental sustainability and resilience
- Effective sustainability and resilience solutions for your community’s consideration
- Resources available to support local planning efforts
The Sustainability & Resilience Planning section of the toolkit provides guidance for North Jersey counties and municipalities on how and why to integrate sustainability and resilience into local master plans.
Environmental justice refers to ensuring the fair treatment and involvement of low-income, minority, and any other potentially disadvantaged population in projects and programs that affect the environment and human health. This section provides information to help communities ensure that environmental justice populations are provided opportunities to participate in planning efforts and that the benefits of sustainability are equitably distributed.
The Sustainability Solutions menu found below presents information on sustainability and resilience policies, programs, strategies and technologies that counties and municipalities may consider for inclusion in master plans or implementation. Some of the solutions relate more directly to the purview of municipalities; however, counties may play a direct, collaborative or advisory role in advancing many of the recommended solutions. The solutions presented here have proven effective and feasible in many communities and address urgent environmental challenges facing the TNJ region. Under each sustainability solution, you will find information and links to supporting guidance documents and funding and technical assistance opportunities.
Smart & Resilient Growth
Renewable Energy
Green Infrastructure
Complete Streets
Electric Vehicles
Green Fleets
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Smart Parking
Green Building
Micro-Mobility
Green Purchasing
Local Food
Learn about organizations and programs that make technical assistance available to local communities to carry out sustainability, resiliency and related planning activities.