A Letter from the Executive Director 

Dear Land Development Professional,

Welcome to Sustainable Land Development International!

As a land developer for over 30 years, I’m honored to represent such an important and diverse group of industry professionals and stakeholders as we navigate through some interesting and unprecedented times for the industry, and civilization itself. Throughout history, land development has been the backbone of our society and has nearly always been perceived as beneficial.

Well, that’s certainly changed, especially in the last five years or so. Opposition to land development is now stronger and more organized, and the obstacles that must be overcome today are larger and more complex than ever.

Further, while many stakeholders continue to adhere to a single-minded pursuit of economic gain, others grasp an equally obsessive pursuit of environmental stewardship. Others still, would have the industry focus strictly on societal impacts. The overall results of these uncoordinated and divergent pursuits are generally disappointing, and yet are playing out before our eyes. Perhaps not surprisingly, public awareness and perception that the industry is not adequately delivering a balanced approach to economic, social and environmental concerns has led to strong opposition to land development, with seemingly little resolution in sight.

SLDI’s organizational function is to respond to the need of our industry and society for a holistic, triple-bottom-line perspective that balances the needs of all the various stakeholders, including the public. By convening the interests of multiple stakeholders within one sphere, with the risk-taking, team-building developer at the center, SLDI embodies the model – the only comprehensive model – that is fundamentally equipped to help carry the whole industry, and society, forward in a sustainable way.

Whether you are a land developer, builder, civil engineer, banker, landscape architect, land planner, architect, arborist, construction contractor, real estate broker, attorney, financial consultant, investor, government representative, educator, student, product/service provider, or other stakeholder in land development, SLDI provides you with the opportunity to position yourself at the forefront of the industry as it transitions for a more sustainable future.

SLDI is dedicated to helping you differentiate your efforts from others in the industry, while connecting you with like-minded leaders and organizations that will help you effectively move the quality of your work, and that of the industry, boldly forward towards a sustainable future.

Rest assured, there’s much more to come. Your participation and comments are welcome.

Terry Mock

Sustainable Land Development Defined 

When the term “sustainable” is mentioned, people are often unsure of its context and/or skeptical of the motivation behind its use. Having been primarily used in an environmental context, Wikipedia defines sustainability as, “a characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely. The term, in its environmental usage, refers to the potential longevity of vital human ecological support systems, such as the planet's climatic system, systems of agriculture, industry, forestry, and fisheries, and human communities in general and the various systems on which they depend.”

SLDI’s perspective encompasses more than just environmental sustainability. Here’s how SLDI defines sustainable land development:

Sustainable Land Development – the art and science of planning, financing, regulating, designing, managing, constructing and marketing the conversion of land to other uses through team-oriented, multi-disciplinary approaches which balance the needs of people, planet and profit – for today, and future generations. SLDT

Strategic Objectives 

A holistic strategic perspective enables the greatest results within each of the specialized areas of land development. As such, the following foundational objectives buoy all three legs of sustainable land development.

• Implement sustainable development certification programs for individuals and projects;
• Integrate aesthetic values with scientific facts to maximize the achievement of sustainable land development.
• Create a sustainable development industry-dominant brand;

Profit
Develop and promote interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies that unite technical expertise and understanding to improve the quality of solutions, resulting in increased net revenue and new business opportunities for members.

• Reduce business costs and increase income, resulting in increased financial yield;
• Obtain unique market access for creating enhanced value;
• Broaden market opportunities.

Planet
Promote ecologically sound land development that protects and restores essential ecosystems.

• Create holistic industry best practices that embrace sustainable development practices;
• Leverage existing and emerging technologies that deliver ecological results;
• Improve the ecological quality of land development products and services;

People
Promote social, environmental and financial best practices by facilitating stakeholder alliances.

• Educate and inform all stakeholders about the importance of sustainability and the role of Sustainable Land Development International;
• Promote the importance of social equity to overall community sustainability;
• Expand stakeholder participation in sustainable land development. SLDT