This episode is a conversation with Jonathan Rosenbloom, Associate Dean at Albany Law School who has researched and written about sacrifice zones. He is also the Executive Director for the Sustainable Development Code.

We discuss:

Whether neighbourhoods that have been destroyed by natural disasters should be rebuilt or designated as no-build 'Sacrifice Zones'.
How US planning departments can use the Sustainable Development Code to ensure new development is low carbon and climate adapted.

Note: This episode was recorded before the LA wildfires in January 2025.

Links:
Contact Jonathan: jrose@albanylaw.edu
Sustainable Development Code: https://sustainablecitycode.org/
Article on Sacrifice Zones: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/the-case-for-returning-disaster-prone-areas-back-to-nature

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The Green Urbanist podcast is created by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

#101: Sacrifice Zones - Rebuild after disaster or return to nature?