CoolConnections is a source of information and a forum for discussion on sustainable transportation and land use strategies. The site reflects Fehr & Peers’ commitment to innovative transportation solutions that improve communities while addressing broader issues such as climate change, energy conservation, economic well-being, environmental quality and other co-benefits. We emphasize strategies such as:
- Integrated multi-modal transportation with development patterns to reduce carbon emissions
- Transportation systems designed for minimal energy consumption
- Living and travel environments configured to encourage physical activity, public safety, economic vitality and personal choice.
Recognizing that every-day planning decisions affect these goals, CoolConnections identifies techniques for planners, developers and governments to promote a wide array of sustainability outcomes.
Modern suburban development patterns increase vehicle use, reduce walking and bicycling, decrease the effectiveness of public transportation, and increase vehicle travel and greenhouse emissions per person. Transforming more of our future growth into compact, mixed-use, transit-served communities can reduce energy use and emissions and help stabilize our global climate. This site is dedicated to providing information, collaboration, resources and key facts to help us craft livable communities oriented toward sustainable climate, energy and health.
For general background on these issues, we recommend “Growing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change”, published by the Urban Land Institute. The book describes how every-day planning decisions accelerate climate change and identifies what planners, developers and governments can do to reverse the trend.
