Smart and Beautiful Paths to Sustainability

In a beautiful and inspiring new book, "S.M.A.R.T. – Paths to Sustainability" 34 artists and authors from five continents give their views on aspects of sustainable development.

1 minute read

February 1, 2018, 6:00 AM PST

By Todd Litman


In recent years the concept of sustainability has been losing some of its significance, so that on occasions it becomes a banal term, empty of content. And yet everything that goes to make up sustainability now involves multiple aspects of our lives: at the social, as well as the environmental and economic, level.

To remind us of why it is so important to always have sustainability in mind, the newly released book “S.M.A.R.T. - Paths to Sustainability” brought together 34 artists and authors from five continents to give their views on aspects of sustainable development which, in one way or another, are related to their specialist areas: economics, environment, architecture, landscape architecture, politics, finance, photography, art, communication and culture.

S.M.A.R.T. - Paths to Sustainability is structured across nine thematic chapters that correspond to new challenges the world must face up to in the years to come:

  • A Common Agenda at Last
  • The Social Dimension of Sustainability
  • Hardware versus Software and Mindware
  • Water, Renewable Energy and Infrastructures
  • Dialogue between Generations and Gender
  • How We Finance the Transition
  • Different Visions. One Planet, One City
  • The Challenge of Transversality
  • Communication for Change

The chapters include a careful selection of impressive photographs, accompanied by infographics, graphics, declarations and opinions from the best experts in the world in their respective specialties.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 in S.M.A.R.T. - PATHS TO SUSTAINABILITY

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

4 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

6 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post