BRIDGING THE GREEN DIVIDE: Sustainable Community Development and Climate Resilience in Altadena, CA

Sustainable Community Development (SCD) is widely debated as a climate mitigation strategy, with recognized benefits such as reducing carbon footprints, enhancing public health, and fostering economic resilience. However, a major critique is its limited accessibility to marginalized communities. In particular, the resilience embedded in rebuilding plans does not necessarily translate to real access for those whose insurance coverage may not be sufficient to afford conventional design services or reconstruction costs. This thesis argues that while SCD is an effective tool for climate mitigation, its success depends on equitable access—not just in principle, but in the material capacity to participate in and benefit from rebuilding efforts. Using Altadena, CA, as a model, this research applies resilient urban planning principles — incorporating SCD and LEED certification — to mitigate the effects of the Eaton wildfire disaster and enhance long-term climate resilience. The methodology includes mapping, site visits, stakeholder interviews, and a neighborhood redesign within Altadena. The final deliverable proposes a sustainable, walkable community redesign along Morada Place, El Molino Avenue, Mendocino Avenue, and Lake Avenue. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that SCD can be a powerful climate resilience strategy, but its impact depends on equitable implementation.