The Environmental Planning Element is one of the new General Plan elements required by the Growing Smarter and Growing Smarter Plus legislation. The legislation provided little direction for what should be included in the Environmental Element. However, a Resident Attitudes survey conducted in early 2000 identified the primary environmental issue as air quality. The long-term community vision includes an environment that is healthy, safe, productive.
Environmental quality is essential to long-term economic development and community vitality.
The goals in this element include improving and protecting the environment, managing and conserving resources and preserving open space, to ensure healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. A sustainable community recognizes the needs of the present generation without comprising future generations. Sustainable communities provide a business climate where better goods and services are produced using less energy, with less waste and less pollution. Sustainable communities are livable places. Phoenix is committed to protecting, preserving and restoring the natural environment.