Eco-Industrial Development: A Strategy for Building Sustainable Communitites.Reviews of Economic Development Literature and Practice: No. 8

摘要

A growing number of communities in the U.S. and abroad are considering eco-industrial development (EID) strategies. EID is based on the idea that a flourishing economy and environmental health can coexist through strategies that integrate environmental, economic, and community development goals. The definition of EID has been elusive to practitioners and scholars alike, and the concept continues to evolve as EID projects move from concept to implementation. At its root, however, is an emphasis on fostering networks among businesses and communities to optimize resource use and reduce economic and environmental costs. EID encompasses a range of approaches, including pollution prevention, byproduct exchange, green design, life cycle analysis, joint training programs, and public participation. Early projects sought to create closed-loop systems within the boundaries of an eco-industrial park. More recently, eco-industrial developers have widened their scope to capture byproduct exchange opportunities in broader regional eco-industrial networks. This report reviews the interdisciplinary literature on industrial ecology theory and practice.