Local Government Commission Website

Overview

The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit, non-partisan resource for local government officials and community planners. Membership consists of elected officials, city and county government staff, planers, architects and community activists focused on creating livable, walkable, sustainable communities. The LGC is a member-based organization; however, the website provides access to a vast collection of resources available to government officials and planners. In addition, the LGC follows the Ahwahnee Principles for Resource-Efficient Communities, a set of specific action steps for smart growth and placemaking put in place in 1991 at a conference held at the Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park. Detailed information on the principles are available on the website.

Lastly, the LGC organizes several key national conferences annually, including the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, a key event for anyone interested in livable communities. The next conference is in Denver on February 13–15, 2014.

Key Points

According to the LGC website, the Ahwahnee Principles exist to help local government officials and community planners to better create healthy, sustainable, and more livable communities by focusing on placemaking and smart growth. The principles are organized around community, regional, and implementation. The website provides detailed information on each, including downloadable PDF versions.

In addition, the website contains access to a wide array of resources that can help inform community planners in their Resources section.

The Events section provides easy access to upcoming events, as well as access to presentations given at prior events. Once more, the site provides planners with a variety of tools and resources.

How to Use

Local government officials and community planners can use this online resource to ensure that they are following best practices when it comes to creating healthy, sustainable, and more livable communities. Plus, they can access the latest information on key upcoming national conferences, including the annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.

View Web Site: Local Government Commission Website