His writings have focused on creative strategies cities can use to reduce their ecological footprints and become more livable and equitable places in the process.
Beatley coined the term green urbanism and uses it frequently in his writings to describe the planning process used to create a sustainable city.
He is currently "Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities" in the Department of Urban and Environmental Planning, the University of Virginia School of Architecture.
He has been a prolific author since the mid-1980s on the subjects of coastal hazard mitigation, hurricane recovery, habitat and ecosystem conservation, environmental ethics, and sustainable urban planning.
Beatley's description of a typical sustainable city is one that is compact and walkable with easily accessible parks and green spaces.