Sustainability experts discuss how interdisciplinary program provides the tools needed to implement green initiatives successfully

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IRVINE, CALIF. — In creating communities, it’s vital that every single community planning professional is on the same page about sustainable issues. When there are so many disciplines involved — from architecture and urban planning to civil engineering and environmental and land use planning — learning to work together is key to coherent sustainable design. Future architects, designers, engineers, and public policy advocates will need interdisciplinary training on how to most efficiently work together and use every possible resource for the common goal of forward-thinking green communities.

The University of California, Irvine Extension is offering a new “Certificate Program in
Sustainable Community Planning & Development” this fall to educate government leaders and industry professionals on how to share resources and knowledge to build sustainable communities together.

Kirwan Rockefeller, Ph.D., director of sustainability leadership at UC Irvine Extension, and esteemed advisory board members that are leading industry experts, can speak to the trend of sustainability in community development and why this program is vital for sustainable community planning.

In an interview, UC Irvine Extension experts can further share insight into the following topics:
•Sustainable Communities — What is the Best Way To Build Them? In order for a community to truly be sustainable, experts from disciplines like water management, ecosystems design, community health, and public policy will need to collaborate to plan and build viable sustainable communities. Rockefeller can discuss how the UC Irvine Extension certificate program can teach experts how to achieve this cohesive vision.
•Industry Professionals Have To Work Together In The New Community Planning Model — It’s not enough to be the best architect or urban planner anymore. The most in-demand professionals of the future will have to work together with other disciplines to create truly successful sustainable initiatives that include elements from civil engineering, architecture, environmental, and land use planning, just to name a few.
•Green Continuing Education Creates Experts With 21st Century Knowledge — Gone are the days when a college degree was all the education professionals needed. To succeed in today’s professional landscape, the experts with continuing education, especially about hot button issues like green building and sustainable community development, will be most in-demand.
•Leaders Must Be Ready For Future Sustainability Challenges — Legislative changes require community development experts to have the most up-to-date knowledge about sustainability issues. To ensure UC Irvine Extension’s new program curriculum is on the forefront of the industry, learn from the advisory board how program content is created.