Florida Atlantic University

Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Website | cues.fau.edu/partnership

The FAU Partnership for Sustainable Communities (pilot program) is an initiative of the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) within Florida Atlantic University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning. The FAU Partnership addresses challenges and goals identified by Florida communities with university capacity in ways that aim to benefit all parties, work within administrative structures, and at a scale that can have lasting and sustainable impacts for all involved.

Areas where an FAU Partnership may be beneficial include issues of sustainability, resiliency, transportation and transit-oriented development, adaptation to the impacts of climate change, regional and urban planning and design, affordable housing, integrating historically disenfranchised voices into public decision making, sustaining a viable local economy, providing clean air and water, maintaining public safety, and pursuing other livability goals.

Students, through their course work, engage in important projects that contribute to the quality of life of residents in the community. Potentially, faculty, staff and students from across the University assist local governments with projects that address their smart growth, quality of life, and sustainability goals.

Projects that fit the FAU Partnership model are high-priority and high-need community projects. FAU Partnership engagement can generate interest and fresh ideas that create momentum and provide service to the community.  

In 2019 the FAU Partnership launched its pilot program with the City of West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County.

Fun Facts about the FAU Program

The Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) is dedicated to helping communities and decision makers resolve urban and environmental issues through partnerships, education, and research throughout Florida and beyond. The Center works with policy-makers and the public in their pursuit of options for managing growth while preserving natural systems, promoting a strong economy and planning livable communities. Their broad constituency – consisting of local governments, state agencies, civic and business groups, academics, students, and professionals – supports, motivates, and benefits from the Center’s activities.

CUES is housed in the School of Urban & Regional Planning within the College of Design and Social Inquiry (CDSI). The Center works closely with undergraduate and graduate programs at CDSI and FAU’s School of Architecture, as well as with the Florida Center for Environmental Studies (CES) and other centers.

Year Program Established | 2019
Country | US
Federal Region of Program | 4

Public or Private Institution | Public
Number of students at institution | 30,000

Highlight Articles/Videos

The FAU Partnership for Sustainable Communities kicks off its pilot program. WPB Planner Heather Tribou gave Prof. Renne’s class an overview of the study area, and the students are ready for the challenge. (Tribou and Renne are pictured in the back row, 5th and 4th from left).

City Partners

2019 | West Palm Beach • Population: 110,000

Contact Details

John L. Renne, PhD, AICP
Professor and CUES Director
jrenne@fau.edu
(561) 297-4279

Serena Hoermann, MBA
Program Manager and CUES Assistant Director
shoermann@fau.edu
(561) 297-4279