As the practitioner network for local government sustainability directors and staff, USDN generates substantial new knowledge that advances the urban sustainability field.

Equity and Buildings

The Equity and Buildings Framework walks government staff and practitioners through the emerging practice of centering equity in sustainable buildings policies and programs. It outlines strategies for interdisciplinary approaches that are guided by specific community needs. The framework examines critical equity intersections including health, housing, and economic opportunity. 

Read more »


Resilience Hubs

The USDN Resilience Hubs project is an opportunity to effectively work at the nexus of community resilience, emergency management, climate change mitigation, and social equity while providing opportunities for communities to become more self-determining, socially connected, and successful before, during, and after disruptions.

Learn more »


Grant Programs

USDN members spur and scale innovations in urban sustainability by collaboratively developing policies, practices, tools, programs, performance standards, or organizational models, through member grant programs.

Browse grant programs »


Innovation Products

Hundreds of products developed as a result of USDN grants ranging from climate change preparedness to energy, professional development, transportation, and more.

Browse innovation products »


Urban Sustainability Bulletin

Highlighting our members’ work on the cutting edge of urban sustainability innovation.

Subscribe Past issues


High Impact Practices: Catalyzing Sustainability Impact

USDN member communities have led a process in 2017-18 to identify High Impact Practices (HIPs) to help USDN and its partners increase impact through more strategic investments.

Read more »


The USDN Innovation Fund is supported by generous foundation grants.

  • Barr Foundation
  • JPB Foundation
  • The Kresge Foundation
  • The McKnight Foundation
  • The Summit Foundation
  • Surdna Foundation