The Guide to Greening Cities
Superstorm Sandy sent a strong message that a new generation of urban development and infrastructure is desperately needed, and it must be designed with resilience in mind. As cities continue to face climate change impacts while growing in population, they find themselves at the center of resilience and green city solutions, yet political and budgetary obstacles threaten even the best-planned initiatives. InThe Guide to Greening Cities, seasoned green city leaders Sadhu Johnston, Steven Nicholas, and Julia Parzen use success stories from across North America to show how to turn a green city agenda into reality. The Guide to Greening Citiesis the first book written from the perspective of municipal leaders with successful, on-the-ground experience working to advance green city goals. Through personal reflections and interviews with leading municipal staff in cities from San Antonio to Minneapolis, the authors share lessons for cities to lead by example in their operations, create programs, implement high-priority initiatives, develop partnerships, measure progress, secure funding, and engage the community. Case studies and chapters highlight strategies for overcoming common challenges such as changes of leadership and fiscal austerity. The book is augmented by a companion website, launching with the publication of the book, which offers video interviews of municipal leaders, additional case studies, and other resources. Rich in tools, insights, and tricks of the trade, The Guide to Greening Citieshelps professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and students understand which approaches have worked and why and demonstrates multidisciplinary solutions for creating healthy, just, and green communities
eBook, English, 2013
Island Press/Center for Resource Economics : Imprint : Island Press, Washington, DC, 2013
1 online resource (XIV, 250 pages) : online resource
9781610915045, 1610915046
1071126172
Printed edition:
Foreword by Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction: The New Urban Imperative
1. Greening from the Inside: Stories from Working within City Government
2. Leading from the Inside Out: Greening City Buildings and Operations. Case in Point: Assessing Climate Risk and Resilience in Flagstaff. Case in Point: Greening City Fleets in Raleigh
3. Leading in the Community: Using City Assets, Policy, Partnerships, and Persuasion. Case in Point: Returning to Green City Roots and Loving El Paso. Case in Point: Sewer Overflows and Sustainable Infrastructure in Philadelphia
4. The Green City Leader. Case in Point: Funding Sustainability through Savings in Asheville. Case in Point: Permeable Pavement and the Green Alley Program in Chicago
5. Getting Down to Business: Budgeting, Financing, and Green Economic Development. Case in Point: Growing Green Businesses and Jobs in San Antonio. Case in Point: Financing Affordable Housing along Transit Lines in Denver
6. Driving Green Progress Using Indicators. Case in Point: Sustainability Performance Management in Minneapolis. Case in Point: Ensuring Sustainability Remains a Priority in New York City
Conclusion: From Green to Resilient Cities. Notes
About the Authors
Index