Land use and sustainability law provides a means for addressing some of Long Island’s most pressing concerns, including climate change and disaster resiliency, the creation of thriving urban centers and main streets, access to affordable housing, and management of water resources.

• Facilitates dialogue with practitioners and experts in the field
• Fosters capable land use and sustainability leaders
• Provides training opportunities for law students, practitioners, and the community
• Undertakes cutting-edge research
• Provides technical support to public officials and local communities
• Provides practical tools for the planning and zoning communities

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The LUSD Institute is dedicated to educating and training future and current land use and sustainable development law practitioners and decision-makers. Land use and sustainability law provides a means for addressing some of Long Island’s most pressing concerns, including climate change and natural disaster resiliency; the creation of thriving urban centers and mainstreets; affordable housing for seniors, workers, and others; and the management of water resources, including storm water, waste water, and drinking water.

To address these and other Long Island land use issues, the LUSD Institute facilitates discussions with current practitioners and experts in the field, provides training opportunities for law students, and researches land use and sustainability issues of pressing concern to Long Island. Read more about the LUSD Institute's current projects and visit our schedule of upcoming events.

The Institute draws on the generous support it has received from well-known Long Island developer Frank Castagna of Castagna Realty, and from the Skolnick Family Charitable Trust, a long-time supporter of the Law Center. The Institute benefits from the guidance of an active Advisory Board as well as student representatives and faculty affiliates.

Professor Michael Lewyn serves as Director of the Institute. He teaches property, land use, and environmental law. Originally from Atlanta, he graduated from Wesleyan University and received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After clerking for two federal judges and practicing law for several years, he began his teaching career. Most of Professor Lewyn's scholarship focuses on urban and suburban development, and in particular the question of "sprawl": why some cities are walkable and full of vitality, while others have been overshadowed by suburbs where car ownership is a necessity.