Developers have choices when tackling a new community: rejuvenate an old neighborhood or start a brand new one? Taylor Woodrow focuses on taking an obsolete community and giving it new life — an approach that helped the company earn a spot on the 2006 Global 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World list, says Mike Forsum, Taylor Woodrow's western regional president.

The list recognizes financially successful corporations whose management encourages a sustainable environment while handling environmental, labor and human rights risks. Corporate Knights, a Canadian magazine for business leaders, and Innovest researchers evaluate the 1,800-plus corporations on the MSCI World Index and compare them to their industry peers. Those deemed to be the most sustainable — the top 5 percent in their industry — make the cut. Taylor Woodrow also made last year's debut list.

"We're going into areas that are complex and complicated," Forsum says. "That's the beauty of infill; it takes a strong vision."

Although the list includes building products maker Masco and other construction-related or real-estate-related companies, Taylor Woodrow is the only builder named.

Says Toby Heaps, Corporate Knights' editor: "These companies are showing strategic foresight — not just doing good for the environment. It's about having a business plan."