Dubuque was selected by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Communities by Design as one of seven cities to receive technical assistance under the SDAT program in 2007. The SDAT program is AIA’s community assistance program that focuses on the principles of sustainability. Sustainability is defined by a community’s ability to meet the environmental, economic, and social equity needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The collaborative SDAT program brings together teams of volunteer professionals (architects, urban designers, planners, and others) to work with community decision-makers and stakeholders to help them develop a vision and framework for a sustainable future, provide a roadmap for communities seeking to improve their sustainability, and achieve balance between cultural, environmental, and economic systems.

The Dubuque SDAT conference ran October 22 - 24, 2007, and focused on five major land use issues:

Community members worked with national volunteer consultants to identify ways to achieve economic prosperity, ecological integrity, and social equity.

Watch the Sustainable Design Assessment Video

For more information on Dubuque's participation in the SDAT program, please contact the Planning Services Department, or call 533.589.4210.