Denser neighborhoods are more likely to be walkable neighborhoods, especially when zoning mixes residential, commercial, and institutional uses. With walkable neighborhoods, you not only save energy, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and combine resources, but you build stronger and safer communities. There are several successful strategies for making neighborhoods more climate-friendly.

• Make sure zoning allows for “missing middle” housing options (between single-family homes and large apartment complexes) to increase density and provide more options.
• Zone for more density around transit hubs.
• Implement growth management plans with clear boundaries to avoid sprawl.
• Require buildings to meet LEED standards or better for energy efficiency.
• Ban natural gas in new construction. Provide technical and financial assistance for owners of existing buildings to transition from fossil fuels to electricity.
• Minimize or eliminate parking requirements.
• Consider impact fees.
• Provide financial support for home weatherization and other energy-efficiency measures, especially in low-income communities.
• Incentivize the installation of solar, wind, and geothermal energy systems for residential and commercial buildings.