Green Community Exhibit

October 23, 2008 — October 25, 2009
National Building Museum
Washington, D.C.

The American Planning Association is the presenting sponsor of the Green Community exhibit at the National Building Museum. The exhibit will expand on the themes of its highly acclaimed predecessors, Big & Green and The Green House, examining how and why we plan, design, and construct the world between our buildings. Green communities are not just a collection of sustainably-designed buildings; they depend on the integration of parks and gardens, streets and sidewalks, and how buildings relate to one another to foster a healthy environment.

Forward-thinking individuals, companies, and civic leaders are embracing new technologies while looking to historical examples to help us rethink, retune, and remake our communities for a greener future. Green Community will highlight sustainable communities in the United States and around the world, from neighborhoods to major cities, illustrating in each case how the community has committed to stewardship of its unique cultural and natural resources.

As sustainable living is not a new concept, the challenge of living sustainably will be given historical context in the exhibition to help illuminate how settlements have always relied on the four ancient elements — earth, air, fire, and water — for energy, sustenance, and shelter. Green Community will conclude with a look into the future to see how advanced technologies, citizen action, and proactive planning and design can combine to construct healthy communities for the next generation.

Learn more about the Green Community exhibit