Our Work: Sustainability

The source of many environmental problems is the wasteful and unsustainable pattern of land use and development that has been allowed to spread across our landscape over the past sixty years. Good planning and reform of the nation's land use codes offers the best hope for solving environmental problems ranging from air and water pollution, habitat loss and deforestation. Dodson Associates has helped numerous communities develop growth management plans that protect natural resources, focus new growth in existing centers and reduce forest loss and habitat destruction. The firm has also developed sustainable site planning and design standards for new developments, new towns and degraded urban environments. Technologies such as natural systems wastewater treatment, constructed wetlands, low impact development and best management practices for stormwater runoff have been at the forefront of Dodson Associates' work in sustainable development. Harry Dodson led efforts to build the Ashfield Solar Aquatic Wastewater Treatment Plant, an innovative sewage treatment facility using plants and natural hydrologic cycle to process wastewater. Dodson Associates has pioneered the use of best management practices and innovative environmental engineering solutions to stormwater runoff, flood management, sewage treatment and protection of groundwater resources in projects such as the New York Watersheds Protection Strategy, a plan to protect New York City's drinking water supply through improved watershed land use planning and best stormwater management practices.

Featured Projects

Atkins Corner Revelopment Study Town-sponsored plan for a new, smart growth village center at an important rural crossroads.		Virginia Coast Reserve Development of recommended landuse patterns and site planning guidelines to preserve environmental quality near the Nature Conservancy's 40,000 acre Virginia Coast Reserve.		New York Watersheds Protection Plan Siting, stormwater and wastewater treatment recommendations for new development near New York City's water supply reservoirs.		Donovan Property Masterplan Masterplan for an historic 175-acre estate preserving 3/4 of the site as protected open space and creating a walkable village of senior housing.