The green cities: An exploration into the twin concepts of urban sustainability and conservation psychology

Emily P. Goodman, MacAlester College

Document Type Article

Abstract

The increasingly urban world population presents an interesting obstacle to a planet that finds itself in what is being termed a “global crisis.” In this paper, the challenges of urban sustainability are explored. This exploration is complemented by a survey of the literature in conservation psychology, with a particular focus on theories of behavior change. Case studies of sustainability organizations in the Twin Cities (of Minnesota) illustrate how these academic theories are applied in the field. The conclusion of the paper highlights the most salient messages that can be derived from analysis of the literature and case studies.