2002 Accomplishments

In 2002, Sustainable Pittsburgh continued its niche role of convening Affiliates and other partners to collaborate on projects to broaden regional decision-making.  Accomplishments include:

Sustainability Indicators

• 2002 Southwestern PA Regional Sustainability Indicators Report released with print and television coverage.  Also published "Community Indicators Handbook."  Both featured on SP's website.

• Canonsburg Sustainability Indicators project initiated.

Smart Land Use Team

• Second Annual Smart Growth Conference conducted.

• Smart Growth Technical Assistance group convened, a collaboration of ten groups and agencies aiding local governments with land use planning.

• Community Image Survey created as a tool for consensus building on community planning and design.

• Land Use Forums held in Monroeville, Canonsburg, Uniontown, and Beaver to present: regional indicators report, land use trends, visual preference survey, planning survey - all as input to the Regional Vision Plan SP will publish in 2003 after another round of regional forums to gain input.

• Model Codes and Ordinances project initiated in partnership with Murrysville and Export.

• Organized briefing by Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland Co. for Jim Roddey and COGs.

• Public Officials Design Institute inaugural session held - an invitational design workshop provided hands-on design consultation for elected officials to address pressing community development issues (held in partnership with the Local Government Academy).

• Technical assistance provided on sustainable community design to several regional real estate development projects.

Diversity & Civic Engagement Team

• Five focus groups conducted to identify pressing issues related to diversity and inclusiveness.

• Diversity in Leadership project initiated to determine diversity make-up of elected officials in the region and determine practical initiatives to cultivate diversity in candidacy for elected office.  Partners include: Local Government Academy, Urban League, PUMP, Onyx Alliance, Executive Women's Council, Leadership Pittsburgh, NAACP, University of Pittsburgh, Coro).

Transportation for Livable Communities

• Partnered with the national Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) to dedicate a full-time Transportation Specialist to regional transportation reform with additional focus on statewide organizing and federal advocacy.

• Mon-Fayette Expressway Sustainability Assessment issued via process including information sessions with the PA Turnpike Commission; public forum (featuring 25 presentations to 200 attendees); presentation to P-G Editorial Board; “Champs” program aired on 90.5 WDUQ; and formal comments to the Federal Highway Administration.

• Submitted recommendations re E. Corridor and Airport Corridor Transit Plans, and Bike/Ped issues.

• Signed SP on as an endorser of Alliance for New Transportation Charter of STPP.

• Amenities & Lifestyle Team

• River Center concept placed in strategic plan of the Riverlife Task Force.

• "Experience Pittsburgh Outdoors", a CD-ROM video portraying the region's wealth of outdoor recreation offerings and natural amenities - produced and disseminated widely as region branding and marketing tool.

• Ride, Rack, Roll, bike racks on buses marketed throughout the year.

• VO2 Outdoor Recreation Festival 2002 held with great success despite the rain.

• "Great Outdoors Week" and "Bike To Work Week" campaigns rolled out in partnership with the W. PA Field Institute.

• Convened partners to develop and deliver a presentation to the Grantmakers of SWPA on the Amenities campaign. 

Education, Communications, and Policy

• "Champions of Sustainability" forum series with WDUQ programs conducted: Impacts of the Mon-Fayette Expressway; Closing the Gap on Disparities; Property Tax and School Reform: Balancing State-Wide Priorities; and Ecological Solutions for Regional Sewer Dilemma featuring John Todd.

• Partnered with national organizations to release regional analysis of sprawl and transit trends.

• Water, Water, Everywhere radio story series conducted in partnership with 90.5 WDUQ.

• Managed Environment, Health & Safety Network of the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

• Photo essay created and available on SP website to depict the many facets of sustainability in the region.

• SP signed-on as first endorser of Citizens for Democratic Reform campaign for row office reform.

• Over 65 articles appeared regarding SP activities including five television appearances and several editorials.

• Over 25 presentations at conferences, to civic groups, and others. 

• E Links email newsletter issued weekly. 

• SP website is recording increasing user traffic.

Sustainable Pittsburgh is supported by
The Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation,
The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Giant Eagle Foundation

Special thanks to the SP Affiliates and
the Tides Center of Western Pennsylvania

If you are interested in becoming an Affiliate of Sustainable Pittsburgh,
please click the following link.

Affiliate Form