1. Does US Have An Urban Sustainability Agenda For 21st Century

URBAN AFFAIRS ASSOCIATION

40TH CONFERENCE

UAA 2010

Sustaining Cities in a Time of Globalization:

Social, Economic and Political Realities

March 10 - 13, 2010

Honolulu, Hawaii

Sheraton Waikiki Hotel

Does the United States Have an Urban Sustainability Agenda for the 21st Century?

A Critical Assessment

Dr. Mirela NewmanAssociate Professor, Coordinator Urban Studies Graduate ProgramDepartment of Geography & Urban Studies, School of Arts and Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven CT

Email: [email protected]

Does the United States Have an Urban Sustainability Agenda for the 21st Century? A Critical Assessment

Dr. Mirela Newman, [email protected]

Paper Abstract: At the beginning of the twenty‐first century, over three quarters of the total populationof the United States lives in urban places of various sizes. As urban dwellers we seem to agree that ourcities are our urban affairs, that we care about our cities and want them safer, more desirable and moresustainable. As our American cities continue to face increasing environmental, social and economicchallenges, scholars, practitioners and decision‐makers continue to search for an agenda that could help

reshape our cities. The author of this paper assesses the current situation and poses several questions.How can our cities and their urban regions be made more sustainable, livable and desirable? What havewe done so far? Does the United States have a long‐term “urban sustainability” vision and agenda forthe twenty first century? Unlike Europe and European countries, the United States has been slower atembracing the so‐called “urban sustainability” agenda. The author argues that with no national plan ornational organization in charge with shaping the future shape and wellbeing of our American cities andtowns, in the past three decades our pursuit of urban sustainability has primarily stemmed from localand regional organizations and levels encapsulated by several movements including: Ecological Cities,Growth Management, Smart Growth, Livable Cities, New Urbanism, True Urbanism, SustainableDevelopment. What do we need to do now? Could we merge our evolving urban sustainability ideas andconcepts and develop a long‐term, comprehensive, holistic urban sustainability conceptual and practicalframework that could guide urban development throughout the United States? The author examines andcritically assesses the progress we have made so far in the United States, highlights the main urbansustainability principles and tenets and launches several suggestions for policy makers, planners,scholars and practitioners interested in achieving “urban sustainability in the United States.

GLOBAL FRAMEWORK

THE 21ST CENTURY URBANIZING WORLD & ITS

CHALLENGES

GLOBAL FRAMEWORK21ST CENTURY URBANIZING WORLD & CHALLENGES

More than 50% of the world’s population lives in towns and

cities

More than 75% of the US population lives in towns and

cities

Facing unprecedented urban & population growth Presents high risks and immense socio-political challenges

But also offers significant potential for innovative and far-reaching solutions for our towns and cities

We need desirable, livable, well- functioning, greener, more sustainable urban areas - cities and towns

GLOBAL FRAMEWORK ACKNOWLEDGING OUR COMMON GLOBAL PROBLEMS & QUESTIONING OUR CURRENT PRACTICES & PATTERNS

Exponential population growth (+urban population)

Spatial expansion of cities - Suburban Sprawl

Growing automobile use & traffic congestion

Air, water & soil pollution

Wasteful use of land natural resources

Rising social & economic inequities

Loss of indigenous landscapes & ecosystems

UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY APPROACHES AND AGENDAS

We and our cities are facing great challenges in this era of globalization:

failing global markets

climate change

oil and natural gas peaks

increasing pollution and congestion

unprecedented population and urban growth

growing consumption and diminishing natural resources

environmental degradation and disappearing ecosystems

We have identified several threats and risks, but HOW are we to implement a successful blueprint for today’s and tomorrow's greener, more sustainable urban places?

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY OF THE 21ST

CENTURY URBANIZING WORLD & CHALLENGES

Well-functioning, desirable, livable cities are what we want and need, and a decisive prerequisite for the economic development and well-being of any country in the world

Long-term we need to thrive for achieving several goals:

Maintaining our cities habitable, safe, livable

Enhancing our traffic networks

Avoiding environmental and ecological problems

Minimizing resources waste

Protecting and saving our limited natural resources

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

PRINCIPLES AND TENETS

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

THE “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” CONCEPT

Fueled by 1960s & 1970s environmentalism

Supported by publications on global urban and environmental problems:

“Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson (1962)

“The Closing Circle” by Barry Commoner (1971)

“The Limits to Growth” (1972)

THE “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” CONCEPT

FIRST UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT &DEVELOPMENT (Stockholm, 1972)

WORLD WATCH REPORTS (1975-on)

BRUNDTLAND REPORT or World Commission on Environment and Development(1987)

“Our Common Future ( Brundtlandt Report, 1987)

RIO DECLARATION - AGENDA 21 (1992)UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT &

DEVELOPMENT (UNCED)

1992 RIO DE JANEIRO: EARTH SUMMIT - AGENDA 21 UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT & DEVELOPMENT

(UNCED)

Delegates from over 170 countries discussed and produced:

treaties on climate change and biological diversity

a set of forestry principles

an extensive plan called:

AGENDA 21 FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT( now and into the 21st century)

within Agenda 21 was a proposal to develop indicators for sustainable development

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT-Definition

“ development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

(Brundtland Commission, 1987)

“SUSTAINABILITY” CONCEPT & TERM

“SUSTAINABILITY” & “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

Concept was born in the 1970s

As a result of growth of a new consciousness on global ecological & environmental problems related to ongoing patterns of industrial development

Term “SUSTAIN” has old Latin roots: “sub” + “tenere”

means “to uphold”

“to maintain”

“to keep”Used in English since 1290

URBAN AREAS

Urban Areas are:

limited spaces, densely populated, evolving, changing

Were/are founded for different purposes

Industrialization Migration Mass car ownership Economic restructuring

political entities

biggest consumers and polluters

economic and administrative players

URBAN AREAS

concentrate people, capital and knowledge, buildings, infrastructure, functions

centralize capital and prosperity

foster social and economic development

SUSTAINABLE URBAN AREAS

Urban Areas are not merely problem producers

Urban Areas must become “sustainable urban areas”

Sustainable Urban Areas need support & investment:

Political Support

Financial Investment

Civic Commitment

DIMENSIONS OF URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Requires an integrated, holistic, long-term, innovative approach

Governance dimension – decision making

Legislative dimension – justice, regulation

Planning dimension – spatial, land use, design

Financial and risk management dimension

Monitoring dimension

Innovative dimension

AN URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA

Requires a HOLISTIC, INTEGRATIVE,

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

INTEGRATION of elements that need to be more sustainable

“URBAN SUSTAINABILITY” CONCEPT

Cultural City

Social City

Market City

Ecological City

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Built City

Citizen City

Historical City

Governmental City


MAIN PAPER QUESTIONS


QUESTIONS

How can our American cities and their urban regions be made more sustainable, livable and desirable?

What have we done so far in the United States?

Does the United States have a long‐term “urban

sustainability” vision and agenda for the twenty first century?

US IN THE 21ST CENTURY

AMERICAN URBANIZATION PATTERNS AMERICAN CITY MODEL

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY OF THE 21ST

CENTURY AMERICAN CITY MODEL

Unlike the European cities our American urbanization processes are characterized by:

Urban sprawl

Low density, waste of land and resources

Flow of superhighways, shopping centers, baking asphalt

Huge parking lots, long commutes, traffic congestion

Commercial strip development –roads lined with shopping

Leapfrog development: subdivisions, shopping, office parks

Single use development: segregation of land uses

Long distances to travel

Dysfunctional inner city areas – poverty, drugs, …

Municipal budgeting struggles

We seem to be less prepared for greener, sustainable development


UNITED STATES CONTEXT

2009 US CONGRESS FINDINGSFACTS AND TRENDS

United States Context

2009 US Congress Findings: Facts and Trends

US PATTERN OF METROPLITAN GROWTH CONSUMES LAND AT A FAST PACE

1980-2000:

growth of largest 99 metropolitan areas consumed 16 million areas of rural land (1 acre/new household)

SUBURBAN SPRAWL

RAPID EXPANSION OF CITIES & METROPOLITAN AREAS

LAND CONSUMING PATTERN OF GROWTH

NORTH EAST & EAST US

A SPRAWLING PATTERN OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Sprawl Destroys

Farmland

Between 1982-1992, the

U.S. lost an average of

45.7 acresof farmland per hour,

every day.

4,000,000 acres in total!

Source: American Farmland Trust

RETHINKING OUR CURRENT PRACTICESCAN WE ALLOW FOR OUR CITIES TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND

SPATIALLY, TO SPRAWL?

Metropolitan growth

Land Use

Resource Use

Infrastructure development

Slowing down urban sprawl

Searching for “smarter ways” to use and protect land uses and resources

US POPULATION IS GROWING AND AGING

By 2025: 1 in 5 people will be 65 or older


2009 US Congress: Facts and Trends

TRANSPORTATION SECTOR CONSUMES OIL,POLLUTES AND IS COSTLY

•Transportation accounts for 70% of the oil consumed in US

•Nearly a third of carbon emissions come from transportation sector

•Burden of transportation costs is very heavyespecially for low-income residents



We’re Driving Ourselves Crazy

Number of miles we

drive

25% increase in last

10 years

Time we spend in

traffic

236% increase

since 1982

Money lost in time

and fuel over $100 billion

DRIVING AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION

According to Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy:

Driving projected to increase 59% (2005-2030)

In 2007 traffic congestion caused Americans to:

Waste 4.2 billion hours in traffic

Purchase an extra 87 million gallons of fuel

Price of congestion cost $87 billion

This is a 5-fold increase in wasted time and cost since 1982



Sprawl

Creates

Traffic

Congestion

DEMAND FOR MORE TRANSPORTATION CHOICES -PUBLIC TRANSPORT

According to US Census Bureau:

only 54 % of households have access to public transportation

Demographic groups most likely to use public transport are projected to increase in size (2009-2025)



We need more

Transportation Choices

DEMAND FOR MORE DENSE, WALKABLE, MIXED-USE HOUSING

Demographers estimate that:

• 30% of current demand for housing is for dense, walkable, mixed-use communities



DOES THE UNITED STATES HAVE AN URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA

FOR THE 21ST CENTURY?

A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT


QUESTIONS

What does US need to do in the 21st century?

Could US “merge” all of our evolving urban sustainability ideas, concepts, approaches, organizations ?

Could US develop a long‐term, comprehensive, holistic urban

sustainability vision and agenda by fusing the conceptual and practical framework to date and thus guide urban development throughout the entire United States?


Unlike Europe and European countries,

the United States has been slower at

embracing the so‐called “urban

sustainability” agenda [at the national level]


The United States has no national plan or national policy in charge with shaping the future shape and wellbeing of our American cities and towns


“BOTTOM UP” UPPROACH & GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT

In the past three decades our pursuit of urban sustainability has primarily stemmed from local and regional organizations and levels encapsulated by several movements including:

Ecological Cities Growth Management Smart Growth Livable Cities New Urbanism True Urbanism Sustainable Development


US Approaches and Organizations in the Past 2 Decades

Sustainable Cities

Green Cities

Sustainable Plans

GreenUrbanism

New Urbanism

Ecological Cities

Responsible Growth

True Urbanism

Sustainable Urbanism

Sustainable Development

GrowthManagement

Smart Growth

Ecological Cities

Green Plans

Livable Cities

Livable Communities


Since February 19, 2009 United States has a

WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF URBAN AFFAIRS

-- established within the Executive Office of the President the White House Office of Urban Affairs (the "Office").


WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF URBAN AFFAIRS

“About 80 percent of Americans live in urban areas, and the economic health and social vitality of our urban communities are critically important to the prosperity and quality of life for Americans………………………………………………………………..

……….. In the past, insufficient attention has been paid to the problems faced by urban areas and to coordinating the many Federal programs that affect our cities. A more comprehensive approach is needed, both to develop an effective strategy for urban America and to coordinate the actions of the many executive departments and agencies whose actions impact urban life.”

Source: The White House, Executive Order, Office of the Press Secretary, Feb 19 2009


FUNCTIONS OF OFFICE OF URBAN AFFAIRS(a) provide leadership for and coordinate the development of the policy agenda for urban America across executive departments and agencies;

(b) coordinate all aspects of urban policy;

(c) work with executive departments and agencies to ensure that appropriate consideration is given by such departments and agencies to the potential impact of their actions on urban areas;

(d) work with executive departments and agencies to ensure that Federal Government dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs;

(e) engage in outreach and work closely with State and local officials, with nonprofit organizations, and with the private sector,

THE CALL FOR “GREENING” OUR THINKINGand for URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDAS

For any citizen of this planet, for any urban dweller, practicing professional planner, decision maker, politician, etc.. the entry point is

to “GREEN” OUR THINKING.

For national governments the entry point is to shape /have an

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

WHAT SHOULD US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DO?

Further research, survey, discuss, and learn from national and international successful, innovative Green Sustainable Urban Programs, Initiatives, Planning and Policies;

Compare and contrast International and American urban experiences, initiatives, successes & failures;

Understand how green sustainable urban plans are designed and implemented.

WHAT SHOULD US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DO?THE UNITED STATES SHOULD CREATE A SOLID, INTEGRATED URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA

US needs to further:

Examine and understand the complex urban challenges and problems

Shape a long term vision and strategy on urban sustainability

Pursue innovative, comprehensive, integrated, holistic approaches to urban planning and urban management

Have good integrated urban management, city, regional and national leadership


THE US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD APPOINT A NATIONAL COMMISSION/TASK FORCE TO:

collect

merge

summarize present

distill

integrate fuse

Synthesize

implement


MERGE /INTEGRATE ALL PRINCIPLES, APPROACHES, PRACTICES PROMOTED BY US ORGANIZATIONS THAT EVOLVED IN PAST 3

DECADES

Sustainable Cities

Green Cities

Sustainable Plans

GreenUrbanism

New Urbanism

Ecological Cities

Responsible Growth

True Urbanism

Sustainable Urbanism

Sustainable Development

GrowthManagement

Smart Growth

Ecological Cities

Green Plans

Livable Cities

Livable Communities


WORK CLOSE WITH APA AND TO USE All APA POLICY GUIDES adopted and supported by the American Planning Association

(APA)

Policy GuideSustainability

Policy GuideTransportation

Policy GuideSmart Growth

Policy GuidePublic Redevelopment

Policy GuideNeighborhood Collaborative Planning

Policy GuideTakings

Policy GuideHousing

Policy GuideHomelessness

Policy GuideImpact Fees


APPROVE THE S. 1619 BILL: “LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009”

•THE S. 1619 BILL: “LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009”

• sponsored by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT)

• introduced to US Congress on 08/06/2009


APPROVE THE S. 1619 BILL: “LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009”

• THE S. 1619 BILL: “LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009”seeks to establish:

• OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES (OSHC) – in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• Independent INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES (in the executive branch)

• COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM

• SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM


US GOVERNEMTN SHOLD SUPPORT AND APPROVE THE S. 1619 BILL: LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES (OSHC)

-will establish a program to make comprehensive planning grants and sustainability challenge grants available to eligible entities


APPROVE THE S. 1619 BILL: LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009


- Coordinate land use, housing, transportation and infrastructure planning across jurisdictions and agencies

- Identify potential regional partnerships for developing and implementing comprehensive plans

- Conduct or update housing, infrastructure, transportation, energy and environmental assessments to determine regional needs and promote sustainable development

- Develop/update comprehensive regional plans

- Implement local zoning and other code changes


APPROVE THE S. 1619 BILL: LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 0F 2009


Would require the use of a Sustainability Challenge Grant to:

-promote integrated transportation, housing, energy, economic development activities across jurisdictions

-promote sustainable and location–efficient urban development

-implement projects indentified in a comprehensive regional plan


US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OR A NATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY SHOULD INTEGRATE ALL FINDINGS AND PRODUCE A DOCUMENT:

NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR ACHIEVING URBAN SUSTAINABILITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Not a policy (which many oppose) but guidelines


PURSUE AN URBAN SUSTAINABILITY AGENDATHAT REQUIRES INNOVATION, VISION AND THE COORDINATED IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC

“INGREDIENTS”

INNOVATION

“VISION” – long-term

“SET OF CONCEPTUAL AND PRACTICAL STEPS”

A SET OF “INGREDIENTS” mixed in a complex, “magic” FORMULA(?) BUT DOES SUCH A FORMULA EXIST?


PROMOTE“INGREDIENTS” FOR

SUSTAINABLE CITIES

BUT:IS THERE A MAGIC

FORMULA OR A

CLEAR DEFINITION FOR SUSTAINABLE

CIITIES

???


CREATE TOOLS/MECHANISM THAT EXPAND THE “URBAN SUSTAINABILITY” CONCEPT

NOT ONLY GREEN/ECOLOGICAL ELEMENTS

More open /green spaces, green parks, bikeways, wildlife, wetlands, watersheds, ecosystems

BUT ALSO (!)

Better and more affordable housingSocial justice issues

Wiser/greener transportation patternsEnvironmental issues

More compact cities versus widely spread cities

Spatial form and land use issues

Revised energy consumption patternsEnergy/Environment issues

More sustainable economiesEconomic issues

A better overall urban lifeQuality of life issues

“SUSTAINABILITY ” CONCEPT

Requires a HOLISTIC, INTEGRATIVE,

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

INTEGRATION of elements that need to be more sustainable

WHAT SHOULD US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DO?PROMOTE INGREDIENTS FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

* MORE COMPACT EFFICIENT LAND USE THAT WOULD SLOW DOWN URBAN SPRAWL

UGB = Urban Growth Boundaries

Portland, OR&San Francisco, CA

Preserve farm land

Preserve ecological habitats

Preserve & create open space

Promote mixed use development


*LESS AUTOMOBILE USEMORE ALTERNATIVE MODES

OF TRANSPORTATION

Reduce driving time Reduce congestion Reduce pollution

HOW? Public transit Reversible lanes Employer programs Congestion pricing High-Occupancy Vehicle

lanes Smart cars & smart roads Decrease pollution Decrease ecosystem

decrease isolation & social fragmentation

Average American spends about 440 hours/year (55 days/year) behind the wheel

Cost of traffic congestion in US: $43 to 168 billion/year!!!

By 2050, 80% of world’s oil will be used!!

80% of US petroleum use is goes to cars

US transportation system releases nearly 450 mill tonsof carbon into atmosphere/year!

US contributes 1/3 of annual world total of CO2 = major greenhouse gas


PROVIDE GOOD HOUSING & URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

• Build more & better affordable housing

• Require developers to include a certain number of affordable housing units

• Design pedestrian-friendly, human-scaled streets & sidewalks

• Access to public spaces & parks


*MORE GREEN URBAN

INITIATIVES

Green Roofs

Green streets

Ecology parks

Greener schools

Urban Gardens

Urban Wildlife & Habitat conservation

Provide UV protection, cool urban environment, retain CO2, control storm water runoff, foster plants & birds

Planting trees, hedges, plants

For educational&recreational purposes

Educate students about environment – more urban environment courses, students in planting trees & flowers

Small garden plots rented or assigned for flowers or vegetables


* ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

Cities should have a strong, sustainable economic life by retaining money and resources

“Restoration economy” – one which helps restore environmental & social damage done in the past

“Human-centered economy” –providing work at decent pay

“Locally-oriented economy” –which emphasizes local ownership

local control & investment

Use of local resources

Production for local markets

We have all seen cities & communities where

capital resources have left;

businesses have closed;

storefronts are abandoned;

natural resources have been taken;

jobs are scarce; and products and services are hard to find

HOW? Phase out industries:

- Consume large amounts of non-renewable resources

- Produce pollutants & toxics

- Are based on minerals & oils

INGREDIENTS FOR URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

* MORE EFFICIENT RESOURCES USE, LESS POLLUTION AND WASTE

• Energy conservation programs - use of:

fluorescent light bulbs, energy efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, water heaters

• Farmland conservation

• Recycling programs

• Pollution prevention

Home Energy Service Program (Massachusetts)

Federal conservation Programs (MA) -Massachusetts farmers and other landowners are encouraged to apply for nearly $12.5 million in federal funding for conservation programs allocated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Massachusetts

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SOURCES FOR URBAN, URBAN PLANNING AND URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION (APA) http://www.apa.org

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION – CONNECTICUT CHAPTER http://www.ccapa.org

SUSTAINABLE SITES http://www. sustainablesites.org

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS (AAG) http://www.aag.org

LIVABLE CITIES http://www.livable cities.org

http://www.apa/

http://www/

http://www.aa/


OUR GREEN CITIES http://www.ourgreencities.com

LIVING CITIES http://www.livingcities.org

URBANICITY http://www.lurbanicity.org

URBANDESIGN http://www. urbandesign.org

GREEN PLANS USA http://www. greenplans.rri.org

LOW IMPACT LIVING http://www.lowimpactliving.com

http://www.ourgreencities./

http://www.ourgreencities./

http://www.livingcities./

http://www.lurbanicity/

http://www/

http://www.lowimpactliving.com/


SMART GROWTH http://www.smartgrowth.org

NEW URBANISM http://www.newurbanism.org

PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACE http://www. pps.org

REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION & METRO PLANNING ASSOCIATIONS &BOARDShttp://www.rpa.org/

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/architecture/bass/newrochelle/regional_plan/oregon.html

http://www.metro-region.org/ (Portland, Oregon)

http://www.smartgrowth.org/

http://www.newurbanism.org/

http://www.rpa.org/

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/architecture/bass/newrochelle/regional_plan/oregon.html


CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE OF MUNICIPALITIES http://www. ccm-ct.org

CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC RESOURCE CENTER

http://www. cerc.org

1001 FRIENDS OF CONNECTICUT http://www. 1001friends of ct..org

SIERRA CLUB: US SPRAWL, TRANSPORTATION, CONGESTION, TRANSPORTATION

http://www.sierraclub.org/



Links to Sustainable Livable Cities/Communities

http://www.massland.org/pages/info/lca2003.htmhttp://sustaincommunity.org/

http://www.nhcf.org/uploads/reports/1021649919sustainable97.PDFhttp://www.vsn.cape.com/~cccenter/2003SIC.htmhttp://www.cooplife.com/sustainable.htmhttp://sustaincommunity.orghttp://clinton4.nara.gov/textonly/PCSD/Publications/suscomm/ind_suscom.htmlhttp://www.sustainable.doe.gov/measuring/meaction.shtmlhttp://www.tellus.org/sustcomm/CI_sp.htmlhttp://www.tellus.org/sustcomm/PBInitiatives_sp.htmlhttp://www.citnet.org/events/05Dec01-Indicators-Info.aspxhttp://www.citnet.org/regions/newengland/resources.aspxhttp://www.iscvt.orghttp://www.cedo.ci.burlington.vt.us/legacy

http://www.cleanwateraction.org/ct/index.htmhttp://www.sustainablemeasures.com/SM/Staff.htmlhttp://www.sustainable.doe.gov/measuring/meaction.shtmlhttp://www.sustaincapecod.org/2003SIC.htm

GREEN URBANISM: LEARNING FROM EUROPEAN CITIES.

Beatley, Timothy. 2000. Island Press: Washington D.C.

TEXTS

GREEN URBANISM: LEARNING FROM EUROPEAN CITIES.

Beatley, Timothy. 2000. Island Press: Washington D.C.

GROWING GREENER CITIES: URBAN SUSTAINABILITY I THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Eugenie L. Birch and Susan M. Wachter (Eds.). 2008.

University of Pennsylvania Press: Philadelphia.

Economics

Transportation budgets

are larger than

food budgets

Equity

Familiesare finding

fewer choicesin housing

styles, price ranges, and

neighborhoods

Engagement

Peoplehave lessand lesstime for

involvementin their

children’s schoolsor other

civicactivities

Environment

Air andwater

pollutionare

threatening humanhealth

Why Do We Care?

WHAT SHOULD US NATIONAL GOVERNMENT DO?PROMOTE AND SUPPORT UNDERSTANDING THE

“INGREDIENTS” NEEDED FOR ACHIEVING URBAN SUSTAINABILITY

Use good land use planning ideas, initiatives and practices

Show investment of finances and political and civic commitment

Minimize environmental impacts

Minimize consumption of natural resources and reduce waste

Learning from and implementing good ideas, programs and practices from successful cities and towns around the world

CAPE COD CENTER FOR SUSTAINABILITYRegional program

1998-99 & 2003: initiated and implemented the first ever Sustainability Indicators Project for Cape Cod

Resource Use - Acres of Land Developed and Of Land Protected as Open Space, Waste Generated, Recycled, Composted, Landfilled and Incinerated)

Transportation & Mobility - Traffic Congestion by Bridge Crossings

Air & Water Quality - Drinking Water Quality

Diverse Sustainable Economy - Housing Affordability Gap, Income - Self Sufficiency Standard, Employment and Payroll by Industry, Tourism

Health & Human Services - Population Enrolled vs. Not Enrolled In Health Care Plans, Substance Abuse

GOALS:

assess issues critical to Cape Cod and their interrelationship

produce and distribute a list of indicators to educate the general public and their elected officials about trends in specific environmental, social and economic issues, and the need to address problems from an integrated, long-term perspective

Cape Cod Sustainability Indicators 2003

ReportAn Uncertain Future

The Cape Cod Sustainability Indicators CouncilProduced in Coordination With

The Cape Cod Center for Sustainability 2003

NEW ECOLOGY, INC. ("NEI")

founded in 1999 to spearhead sustainable development in distressed urban communities in New England

dedicated to the pursuit of environmental quality with economic development in urban communities

Recognizing that human communities and the physical environment are interdependent systems, and that social and economic health and environmental quality are mutually reinforcing.

NEI seeks to change the urban development system

NEI has helped influence public policy to support sustainable development

WESTERN MASS SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

Conserving Our Forests - Local Activities

The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) is developing a five-year community forestry initiative in the North Quabbinregion, a nine-town area in north-central Massachusetts at the northern end of the protected Quabbin Reservoir watershed.

The North Quabbin Woods Project is designed to enhance the economic, social, and ecological health of the region through improved utilization of forest resources

Supported by the Ford Foundation as part of their National Community Forestry Demonstration Program, it takes an integrated approach to community development. targeting to improving the economic and social health of the community

URBAN SUSTAINABILITY WHAT CAN I/ YOU/WE DO?

Think long-term: “Green Thinking” what and how we do now matters 50 -100 years down the road!

Preserve natural resources – they are limited and will be exhausted! Stop driving those “cool” SUV’s!

Question our current urban development patterns

Do we really need a huge house on a large size lot (say 3 to 5 acres)? SMALLER HOUSES & LOTS HELP PRESERVE LAND

Could we consider taking alternating driving with car pooling and taking public transit – when available? DRIVING = SPENDING MONEY = POLLUTION = TRAFFIC CONGESTION

1. Does US Have An Urban Sustainability Agenda For 21st Century

Documents

united nations

cape cod center

american planning

united states

urban sustainability

guide urban

achieving

urban sustainability