Urban Sustainability: A Testing Ground for Collaboration and Engaging Citizens

It's a good season for change!  Sitting on the fence is not an option, especially when it comes to the environment.  

The United States has reached the edge of deferment; it must now embrace sustainability and engage its citizens in green and clean initiatives.  President Obama has promised $80 billion of the economic stimulus package for this cause.  Furthermore, with the average American generating four pounds of trash per day and 10 tons of carbon per year, rhetoric alone won't do, we need action.  

While the U.S. is rarely recognized among the greenest countries--in fact, it falls a dismal third from the bottom in its Environmental Performance Index category--it boasts a number of communities and states that are front runners when it comes to sustainability.  In fact, if California were a country, it would qualify among the world's greenest with the world's largest solar power plant, wind farm, and geothermal installation.  

Which begs the question, if a few communities and states can achieve this state of awareness and action, why not the entire country?  The true goal has to be effective and active engagement of citizens on a broader national scale, not just in self-contained, isolated pockets.  It's not going to be easy; USA's population is 12 times that of Scandinavia--the established leader of the green movement.  Add to it the burden of the recession and an argument could be made as to why an average citizen may not be as amenable as in more prosperous times.

But there is hope and energy as a select group of cities like San Francisco (changing the way we think about recycling) and Portland (spearheading the mass transit revolution) lead the charge toward the New Economy. 

Long the capital of American architecture, Chicago has emerged as a leader in green architecture and landscaping as well.  Its "Forward Chicago" initiative engages companies and citizens in improving the city, while also strengthening its bid for the 2016 Olympics through the following measures:

• Recent establishment of a citywide "Challenge" that offers citizens $800 for reducing their carbon emissions.
• Conversion of 4 million square feet of public and private roof space into gardens, saving thousands of dollars in energy costs.
• Citizen contributions to city "greening" efforts, planting more than 500,000 trees and helping convert 200 acres to park space.

Minneapolis empowers its citizens to fight climate change by using a system of mini-grants.  Neighborhoods, individuals, and community groups can submit innovative ideas to receive grants ranging between $1,000 and $10,000.  Funds have been used on projects ranging from the installation of at-home power consumption monitors to "block parties" that focus on how neighborhoods can fight global warming.  Many grant recipients also sign up for the Minnesota Energy Challenge, which encourages residents to make significant lifestyle changes and reduce their carbon footprints.  In 2007 and 2008, the grants collectively aimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10.9 tons and save $1.33 million in annual energy costs.

When it comes to renewable energy, Austin, Texas--also home to Whole Foods--attracts international attention.  Austin Energy is the country's largest provider of renewable energy, and the City of Austin aims to become carbon neutral by 2020.  With such lofty goals, they use a combination of positive and negative reinforcement to engage their citizens:

• Resident rebates for energy-efficient home improvements; at-home solar panels subsidized at 50%.
• Discounts throughout the city on rainwater barrels and low-flow toilets.
• Home energy audits required prior to putting a house on the market.

San Francisco strengthens its hold on its title as the lead recycler in America with a new mandate for composting food scraps.  With a goal of keeping 75% of recyclable material out of landfills by 2010, residents face a $500 fine should they fail to compost. 

Will these measures close the gap, as San Francisco moves toward a waste-free city?

 
And finally, there's Portland--the city that many recognize as the greenest in America.  Portland stands alone as an example of holistic green urban planning.  Its sustainability plans reach back several decades and have involved its residents at every stage of the process.

A few examples of what the city and its residents have jointly accomplished are presented below.
 

• Investments in mass transit and trail development rather than highway construction result in 25% of Portland residents commuting by bike, carpool, or mass transit.  They've also contributed to a nascent biking industry based in Portland.
• State tax credits for businesses and residents using renewable energy are encouraging a fast transition in power sources.  Currently, 50% of the supply derives from renewable energy, with a goal of 100% by 2012.
• The city's land-use policies and urban growth boundaries have motivated citizens and politicians to commit to becoming a "20 Minute City." This means that residents will soon be able to travel wherever they need to go by walking or cycling for 20 minutes.
• Through the "Portland Composts" program, more than 200 city restaurants have begun composting their food waste--and encouraging their patrons to do the same.  

 

Despite its bad rap, the United States boasts several cities with admirable green initiatives.  However, what's missing from the resume is a single model city representing a comprehensive and complete eco-success story. 

Some may argue that the foundation for such a model eco-city has been laid on the West Coast, and it's only a matter of time as progressive practices spread from Seattle down to San Diego.  That said, a more significant commitment to holistic urban planning, that relies not only on legislation, but an extensive engagement of citizens and residents across all dimensions of sustainability--can only help accelerate the creation of a model American eco-city.