Pursuing Sustainability: A Case for Regional Approach

This article makes a case for regional approach to promoting sustainability. To this end, regional sustainability is conceptualized in terms of four dimensions: environmental, physical, social, and economic. For this article, regional approach to sustainability implies policies, programs, and other initiatives taken by regional organizations such as councils of governments, regional planning councils, or associations of governments that can directly or indirectly contribute to promoting sustainability within or outside of a given region. Summarizing a number of practical as well as normative arguments regarding sustainability, the author demonstrates that pursuing sustainability goals is not just fulfilling moral responsibilities but such pursuits can also benefit the society as a whole. Finally, employing arguments from regionalism literature, the author explains why a regional approach to sustainability can be the most effective and efficient in the United States.