Our Connections to the Center for Sustainable Communities
The Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler was established in July 2000 to develop and promote new approaches to protect and preserve quality of life through sustainable development.
A working resource for government agencies, community organizations, and developers, the Center provides objective information and services to improve decision-making relative to land use and water resources planning and development. The Center conducts interdisciplinary research and offers educational and community outreach programs.
The Center was designed to build on Temple University Ambler’s historical focus and strengths in horticulture, landscape architecture, and environmental studies, while drawing upon the expertise of all Temple University faculty.
Associated faculty come from various disciplines, including landscape architecture, horticulture, geology, geography, urban and suburban studies, land use policy and planning, environmental economics, environmental justice, and chemistry. Department of Community and Regional Planning faculty and students provide the backbone for many of the Center's ongoing initiatives.
Since its inception in 2002, the Department of Community and Regional Planning has worked very closely with the Center for Sustainable Communities on a wide variety of research.
The Ambler Campus Sustainability Council (ACSC or Council) advises the head of the School of Environmental Design and the Dean of the Ambler Campus in the development of sustainability initiatives on the Ambler campus with respect to the built environment, environmental management, programs, services, and university policies.
The Council identifies national innovations in the context of sustainable development and assesses Temple University’s participation in and readiness for sustainable development initiatives. After conducting such reviews, the Council makes recommendations to the Dean on priority initiatives, and implementation strategies.
How to Get Involved?
The Council members include faculty, staff, and students from the Dean’s office, the School of Environmental Design, Main Campus, academic departments, the Center for Sustainable Communities, Arboretum, and Facilities Management. The council meets once a month and the meetings are open to the Ambler Campus community. If you would like to get involved, please contact lynn.mandarano@temple.edu.
The Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler was established in July 2000 to develop and promote new approaches to protect and preserve quality of life through sustainable development. 
The Ambler Campus Sustainability Council (ACSC or Council) advises the head of the School of Environmental Design and the Dean of the Ambler Campus in the development of sustainability initiatives on the Ambler campus with respect to the built environment, environmental management, programs, services, and university policies.