2008 Accomplishments
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY
· 8th Annual Smart Growth Conference, entitled “Revitalize the Region: Seize Market Interest to Redevelop Core Communities” (largest crowd to date) added to understanding why investors and developers are coming back around to revalue our core, existing communities as places of choice to develop and redevelop.
· Aiding the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to assess strategies for preparing to address the nexus of land use, development, and carbon mitigation in the coming carbon-constrained economy. Also, SP continues to be a productive partner in providing testimony and advocating development of project prioritization systems.
· Continue to provide leadership in planning for launch of the Imagine Greater Pittsburgh regional visioning initiative.
· 5th Annual Regional Equitable Development Summit, "The Employment Goal - Inclusion in the Workforce: Positioning Our Region to Prosper and Compete" builds on momentum from last year's Summit. The December 11 event focuses on making the business case for and catalyzing regional commitment to reducing under- and unemployment of persons of colorin our region.
· Other advocacy of note:
- Facilitated input to and testified regarding development of Allegheny County's first comprehensive land use plan.
- Raised public attention to the role of zoning in protecting public interests relative to current development events.
- Testified before the House Urban Affairs Committee in support of Pittsburgh/Allegheny County consolidation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE
· Launched the new Sustainable Community Development Network (SCDN) as means to building regional capacity for revitalizing the region's core communities, growing green jobs and sustainable businesses, reviving local economies, and innovating sustainable community solutions. The SCDN Steering Committee, comprised of regional leaders, is guiding a
number of new initiatives including the Vacant Property Solutions Project, which is focused on regional-scale strategies for addressing abandoned and blighted properties.
· Sustainable Community Solutions Consultancy: Cranberry Township retained SP to introduce and apply sustainability policies and practices as integral to the Township's updating its comprehensive land use plan. This partnership began with SP assisting in crafting the Principles for Cranberry's Sustainable Development that were formally adopted by Council and used to
engage the public in the planning process. Cranberry also engaged SP to conduct a Sustainability Assessment of its facilities and municipal policies. Final product was inventory of practical steps Cranberry will be taking to reduce costs, conserve resources, and build sustainability capacity.
· The Cranberry project has led to SP's collaboration with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development to review opportunities to guide municipalities in pursuing sustainable solutions.
· Released a new publication, Sustainability Assessment Tool - SWPA, Guidance for Municipal Leaders, Developers and Concerned Citizens, that presents sustainability attributes by evaluating various developments around the region.
· The Public Officials Design Charrette again affords five communities from around the region with pro bono technical assistance in a concentrated day of brainstorming practical solutions for community sustainability.
· Champions for Sustainability (C4S) - a network for sustainable business and community solutions: Now in its first year, C4S is playing the valuable role of accelerating the policy and practice of sustainable development among businesses around the region through Sustainable Business Solutions consultations, linking of companies, and business opportunity-oriented
programming related to climate change, sustainable product design standards certification, local/sustainable markets, business innovation, green chemistry, human resources management, energy conservation and waste management practices.
Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.
· Established a C4S affinity group for Sustainability Coordinators to provide regular networking and to help develop the professional practice of this growing field of business personnel who have formal sustainability responsibilities.
· Leading the business community in engaging with the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative to assess and mitigate carbon emissions contributing to climate change.
· Facilitated implementation of the annual Great Outdoors Week (GOW) media blitz serving to focus attention and involvement among the public of the immense variety of outdoor recreation offerings around the region.
· Facilitated deployment of the Walls Are Bad outdoor recreation communications campaign designed to increase awareness of and drive participation in outdoor recreation activities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Key components of this campaign are a website (www.wallsarebad.com) and provider directory that serves as an outdoor recreation resource for the region.
· Gained national recognition for development of the Pittsburgh Outdoor Promise (POP) project serving to reconnect children with nature. This model capitalizes on a unique partnership that SP facilitates of outdoor recreation providers, supporters, and environmental educators.
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
· Initiated formalized Sustainable Development Academy training programs in partnership with the Local Government Academy.
· Collaborating with the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management to develop programming for nonprofits on applying sustainability to their operations and community programming.
· Each week issued 3E Links, SP's e-newsletter, containing resources and events, to over 3,600 individuals.
· Conducted a two-day, annual SP strategic planning retreat with the SP Board and office team.
· A variety of media covered SP's policy work over 60 times through articles, op-eds, radio, and television appearances.
· Gave over 35 presentations to leadership groups at conferences, civic forums, etc.
· Served on dozens of advisory panels contributing to the region's sustainable development.
· Raising the bar in carbon offsetting The 2008 Rite Aid Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres.
2008 Sustainable Pittsburgh support provided by:
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Giant Eagle Foundation
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
University of Pittsburgh
Special thanks to Sustainable Pittsburgh Members |
