Suburb Futures

Inequity thrives in the borderlands: Ecological Governance and Justice in Aurora, CO with Juan Marcano and Ean Tafoya

Picture suburbia. Do you envision sprawling monocultures of single family homes? The mythical white picket fence? For environmentalists and designers, suburbia often connotes individualism and overconsumption acting as the antithesis of sustainable, relational, and equitable places. So what does the growth of suburbia mean for suburban residents and regional and national climate and sustainability goals? Can suburbs be sustainable and equitable places? And what would it take to get them there? These are the questions that motivated Erica Dorn, a doctoral researcher in transition design, and Cailin De Zeeuw, an environmental policy student, to speak to experts on topics at the intersection of suburban policy and environmental challenges. Join the hosts from Suburb Futures for Episode two of this two-part series, as they learn from Council member Juan Marcano [https://marcanoforaurora.com/] from Aurora, CO and Leader of Green Latinos, Colorado, and Mayoral Candidate for Denver, Ean Tafoya [https://eantafoya.com/] about equity as intrinsic to sustainability. Let’s head to Aurora!

Ecological Sprawl? On sustainability in suburbs with Joan Nassauer, Judge Glock, and Fendi Despres

Picture suburbia. Do you envision sprawling monocultures of single family homes? The mythical white picket fence? For environmentalists and designers, suburbia often connotes individualism and overconsumption acting as the antithesis of sustainable, relational, and equitable places. So what does the growth of suburbia mean for suburban residents and regional and national climate and sustainability goals? Can suburbs be sustainable and equitable places? And what would it take to get them there? These are the questions that motivated Erica Dorn, a doctoral researcher in transition design, and Cailin De Zeeuw, an environmental policy student, to speak to experts on topics at the intersection of suburban policy and environmental challenges. Join the hosts from Suburb Futures for Episode one of this two-part series, as they learn from Professor Joan Nassauer’s [https://www.joan-nassauer.com/] expertise in landscape architecture and ecology, Judge Glock’s [https://thebreakthrough.org/journal/no-15-winter-2022/sprawl-is-good-green] perspective on urban policy, and Fendi Despres’ [https://www.auroragov.org/things_to_do/parks__open_space___trails/nature___open_space/nature_centers/plains_conservation_center] environmental education experience. Let’s head to the ‘burbs!