Sustainable Solutions for the Region’s Businesses and Communities
Where can Western
Pennsylvania’s businesses and communities go to find out how to save
money by reducing their environmental footprints? Resources for becoming
more sustainable in the way work gets done are available and growing.
Over the past three years Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Sustainable Business
Solutions (SBS) and Sustainable Community Solutions (SCS) have provided
expertise to client companies and communities in ways that have saved them
money in their operations, conserved resources, and enhanced civic
stewardship. SBS and SCS bring together a team of experts in a wide range
of topics to conduct comprehensive sustainability assessments-—an
integrated examination of the client’s energy, waste stream, storm
water, transportation, landscape, management practices, policies,
strategic assets, among other areas. The assessments have produced
extensive savings due to efficiency improvements, with short payback
periods. And the results have provided the catalyst for organizations to
transition smoothly to more sustainable business practices—-finding a
value-producing alignment among economic, equity, and environmental
factors.
If you and your business or community would like to start benefiting from
new sources of value associated with sustainable practices, contact
Sustainable Pittsburgh at mmehalik@sustainablepittsburgh.org
or by calling 412-258-6644.
Sustainable Fashion & Textiles book review
Sustainable clothing and eco chic fashion have entered mainstream consumer consciousness with a barrage of recent media attention. But what really is sustainable clothing and is it different from organic clothing?
Contributed by C4S Steering Committee member Bonnie Siefers of Jonano.
8th Annual Southwestern Pennsylvania Smart Growth Conference
Revitalize the Region:
Seize Market Interest to Redevelop Core Communities
Friday, May 16, 2008
Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh
8:30 am - 3:30 pm (continental breakfast and lunch included)
Keynote speaker: Christopher Leinberger, Metropolitan Land Strategist
& Developer
Cost: Early Registration: $30. After May 1: $40 (free to elected
officials)
To register call (412) 258-6642 or info@sustainablepittsburgh.org
Visit our Conference
page for more details!
Champions for Sustainability
Sustainable
Pittsburgh's newest program, Champions
for Sustainability (C4S), is hosting its third "how to"
networking workshop on Friday,, May 23 - "CERTIFYING
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS: A SMaRT WORKSHOP
February 20, 2007 - Sustainable Pittsburgh joins with other concerned citizens and organizations in calling upon Allegheny County leaders and the Board of Health to commit to keeping the Air Quality Program local and to provide the program with the staff and resources necessary to ensure healthy air quality for Allegheny County residents. View SP's comments here.
Sustainable Pittsburgh comments on amendments accommodate Mon Fayette and Southern Beltway
The remarkable level of effort and civic engagement invested in creating The Plan deserves to be complemented with a robust project evaluation and prioritization process to ensure that infrastructure programming and funding decisions are in step with the spirit and intent of The Plan. Such actions by SPC will ensure The Plan comes to fruition in meeting the will of the thousands of citizens and community leaders who exercised their voices in the extensive public engagement process. This will also serve to put our region on a path to sustainable growth and development. View SP's comments here.
Sustainable Pittsburgh's Executive Director, Court Gould, recently testified in front of Allegheny County Council, urging Council to adopt enabling legislation relative to the two new taxes (alcohol and car-rental). These taxes are needed in order to raise the increased level of required local match dollars necessary to leverage the increased level of state funds available for the Port Authority of Allegheny County. To see Court's full testimony, click here.
Click to Learn about Events At SP
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Sustainable Development Poster Available at SP |
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Accelerating sustainability is certainly an art and science. When Sustainable Pittsburgh was presented with opportunity to participate in a recent poster session, we endeavored to create a poster that has a long shelf life. We're pleased with the result and want you to give you a copy. We have this beautiful, glossy, 16 x 27.5 inch poster waiting for you. Visit our offices at 425 Sixth Ave., Ste. 1335, Downtown Pittsburgh for you free copy. |
Sustainable Pittsburgh Offers Input to SPC's Long Range Transportation Plan
Building an Outdoor Recreation Culture in the Pittsburgh Region
Campos, Inc. met with Sustainable Pittsburgh and its Outdoor Recreation Partners to help us develop broadly the essential elements that would comprise a targeted outdoor recreation strategy to address branding and image, reaching specific audiences, cooperative marketing, and defining outcomes and success measures.
Review the full report "Building an Outdoor Recreation Culture in the Pittsburgh Region"
Review the "Building an Outdoor Recreation Culture in the Pittsburgh Region" Executive Summary
Just released:
Voice of the Region Survey- Outdoor Recreation ResultsPennsylvania State
Planning Board 2006 Report Input Forum held Friday, January 26, 2007
The forum was the first public input meeting on the State Planning Board's recently released report to Governor Rendell. The report addresses recommendations for state policies and actions, including possible legislation, on development, conservation, and land use issues.
The 3rd annual Regional Equitable Development Summit "County Comprehensive Planning for Equitable Development in Southwestern Pennsylvania"
The 3rd annual Regional Equitable Development Summit was held on December 15, 2006. The Regional Equitable Development summits are designed to explore equity in regional development by addressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in the quest to ensure individuals and families in all communities can participate and benefit from economic growth and activity. Professor john a. powell, Director of Ohio State University's Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity delivered the keynote address on equitable development in the Southwestern PA region and best emerging practices around the nation. A formal public input session of Allegheny Places (Allegheny County's comprehensive land use plan in progress) was presented to advance the policy and practice of equitable development in our region.
The Summit was presented by Sustainable Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh's Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership and the Greater Pittsburgh Diversity Festival. Sponsored by PNCBANK.
To view Dr. john powell's powerpoint presentation, click here
To view Executive Summary of "Communities of Opportunities", click here
To view Allegheny Places, click here
Court
Gould of Sustainable Pittsburgh discusses the proposed transit cuts in
Allegheny County
Air date: Week of 01/10/2007
Story length: 6:09
Interviewer: Matthew
Craig
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Port
Authority of Allegheny County has proposed raising fares, eliminating 124
bus routes, and limiting weekend and holiday service because of a more
than $75 million budget deficit. Court Gould, the Executive Director of
Sustainable Pittsburgh, talks with Host Matthew Craig about what this may
mean for the region, and long-term solutions for the Pennsylvania
Legislature in funding mass transit.
http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story.html?storyid=200701100452460.910168
Podcast
of the Week: Going for the Green and Gold
This week’s podcast
features Sustainable
Pittsburgh’s Executive Director Court
Gould, whose presentation, "The
Business of Sustainability," demonstrates that going green is great
for the bottom line. Gould details how sustainable business practices and
corporate social responsibility are becoming the norm among leading U.S.
and international corporations. Or, as we at PennFuture
like to say, "Every environmental victory grows the economy."
And remember, you can be the first kid on your block to hear PennFuture podcasts by having them automatically download to your desktop or iPod. Just download the free software iTunes and follow the directions to subscribe to PennFuture's podcasts.
http://www.pennfuturepodcast.org/index.php?post_id=172603
Governor's Transportation Funding and Reform Commission Report
Sustainable Pittsburgh receives Good Government Award
On October 19, 2006, the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh honored Sustainable Pittsburgh at its 10th annual Good Government Awards dinner.
A Call for Sustainable Transportation Funding
Building
on the original Transportation Funding Initiative (490 endorsers),
Sustainable Pittsburgh has collaborated with a growing group of
transportation-concerned organizations to craft "A Call for
Sustainable Transportation Funding".
This consensus document is offered for use by all businesses,
organizations, individuals, etc. in urging the General Assembly and
Governor to determine, during the current legislative session, a long-term
reliable funding solution to the Commonwealth's transportation funding
crisis. Click
here to download the Microsoft Word document.
Testimony to the Governor's Transportation Funding and Reform Commission
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The Pittsburgh Civic Design Coalition, of which Sustainable Pittsburgh is a member, hosted more than 200 civic leaders on August 2 for a presentation on its Civic Design Exchange trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The report—Design, Community & Quality of Life: Report from Chattanooga— presents the projects and processes of Chattanooga’s transformation, and identifies how Pittsburgh can benefit from those accomplishments. |
Transportation Funding Initiative: New Information of Note to Report
New TFI information of note to report: The
Governor's Transportation Funding and Reform Commission is to release an
interim report by the end of August followed by a series of public input
meetings around the state during the weeks of September 11 - 18. The
Commission's final report will be issued on November 15 following the
election. Thus, you can appreciate the narrow window of time for the
legislature to determine a funding solution.
To date, 442 organizations and individuals have endorsed the
Transportation Funding Initiative (TFI). If you haven’t already done so,
please add your name to the growing list of those concerned with the
looming financial crisis that threatens all modes of transportation in the
Commonwealth and our region (whether or not you use public
transportation). Go to: www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/TFI
to view TFI website. Review the statement and principles urging action by
the Governor and legislature, add your organization's name, jot a
testimonial, and be a part of the ground swell calling for action by
year-end to determine a long-term, reliable transportation funding
solution.
Read the letter to the editor entitled, "We must work together to
find a public transit funding solution," published in the
Post-Gazette on 7/27 and note the interest of one business leader from the
high tech sector http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06208/708899-110.stm.
Here are a few key milestones:
-End of August: Interim Commission report (Governor's Transportation
Funding and Reform Commission - watch for public meet dates and times)
-September (weeks of 9/11 & 9/18 TBD): Commission hearings to collect
public input
-9/4 Labor Day parade (outreach opportunity)
-10/5 PenTrans forum in Philadelphia with members of the Commission
-10/26 Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network public event where the
transportation crisis will be featured
-11/7 Election Day
-11/15 Final Commission report due to Governor and
-11/23 Thanksgiving Day
-11/30 Legislature adjournment sine die
January 2007: Port Authority Allegheny County budget deficit of $31.5
million begins to be felt if no solution is found.
Conclusion:
- Transportation funding is OUR problem -- OUR issue, let's work together
to solve it this year!
- The urgency continues to let the Governor and legislature know
southwestern Pennsylvanians understand the critical contribution
transportation and public transportation makes to our economy, society,
and environment.
- Urge your network to endorse the Transportation Funding Initiative. -
Stay tuned for the Governor's Commission interim report and public meeting
in our area (information will be published in 3 E Links as soon as is
available).
- Be prepared to communicate to the Commission not only the need for a
long-term, reliable funding solution, but also for the "context"
through which investments should be programmed strategically to achieve
goals. Examples such as: revitalize our existing communities, complete the
streets for all modes of transportation, advance SPC's recently released
Regional Transit Vision, and plan for allowing access to jobs, etc. for
citizens of our region - long into the future.
- If you have insights to share regarding strategy and key milestones,
drop us at line at info@sustainablepittsburgh.org
Watch for the interior bus cards on Port Authority Allegheny County buses
that state: Add your name to the 2006 Transportation Funding Initiative.
Ensure YOUR input to the Governor’s Transportation Funding and Reform
Commission to call for a solution to the current transportation funding
crisis. For more information call 412-258-6642 or visit: www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/TFI.
Letter
from SP: Draft 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program for
Southwestern Pennsylvania
2006 Smart Growth Conference Summary Available
Endorse the Transportation Funding Initiative
Regional Transit Vision
The regional strategic vision for public transportation proposed in this report addresses a fundamental question: What kind of region do we aspire to be? The answer to that question is key because the land use and development patterns of the future will fundamentally affect the public transportation vision for the future. The report presents and analyses two alternative development scenarios and then develops a regional public transportation vision for each...It became clear during the planning process that land use would be a key to the public transportation vision. State planning law and the region's configuration of local government into over 500 separate municipal governments (each with primary responsibility for land use and zoning) combined with the continuing expansion of the regional highway and utility infrastructure, have created a regional development pattern that has promoted a spread out development at the expense of older established communities, and at the expense of public transportation...Despite our slow growth, Southwestern Pennsylvania exhibits the development pattern know in most metropolitan areas of the United States as suburban sprawl. In our region, significant land has been consumed for development while overall regional population has changed very little.
http://www.spcregion.org/transit_vision.shtml
A new vision for transit is crucial to this region's well-being...
The transit study report -- "A Regional Strategic Vision for Public Transportation Serving Southwestern Pennsylvania" -- is what the people of southwestern Pennsylvania need to aspire to achieve. Public transit is the framework for the study, but more individual freedom, not less; and a better quality of life for the region, not less, are the promises inherent in this new transit vision...The transit vision underscores how critically important it is for the region to have a public transportation system that is integrated with development so that it is attractive in terms of cost and environment, and efficient in terms of getting people to where they need to go.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06141/691630-109.stm
Study outlines transit's future
We can be smarter about how we invest in transportation," said Caren Glotfelty, the director of environmental programs for The Heinz Endowments, which contributed $500,000 toward the cost of the study and espouses smarter land-use policies. "Regional solutions to growth and development come together in this study. We've been anxious to see it released." The study found the region has a strong public transportation system supporting the urban core, or Pittsburgh, mostly. It says the system has to be strategically integrated and expanded to support a stronger regional economy and rein in urban sprawl.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06140/691698-147.stm
Policy Link, "Shared Prosperity, Stronger Regions: An Agenda for Rebuilding America's Older Core Cities" now available online:
Presentations from the 11th Annual Transportation and Engineering Safety Conference are now available online. This conference brought together a diverse group of people in the transportation field, from advocates to scholars.
"Day surge shows investing in cities strengthens the region" Letter to the Editor from Court Gould
Testimonials:
"Sustainable
-Mike Langer, New Kensington Councilman
"Sustainable
-Bracken Burns,
"Sustainable
-John Kosar, AIA, Chairman Emeritus, Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates
"From
my grassroots, rural community perspective,
-Linda
Gwinn, Blairsville Improvement Group
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Own Your Very Own Sustainable Pittsburgh Hat!
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Pictured at our Fall 2005 retreat:
Sustainable Pittsburgh Staff and Board
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Planning Support Program
Sustainable Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the Planning Support Program - technical assistance "at no charge" to municipalities and counties that want to develop or implement multi-municipal comprehensive land use plans. Technical assistance ranges from a single meeting to discuss the benefits and processes of land use planning; full series of workshops; plan facilitation and review; and resources for funding and implementation.
Many municipalities are already sharing schools and athletic and other recreational facilities, natural and rural environments, shopping districts, and other community activities and venues. It is a natural step to plan together for development and conservation measures that will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses that already share the activities of daily life.
Please contact Joan Barlow at 412-258-6644 for questions, additional information or to schedule a meeting.
Click here to download brochure (pdf)
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2005 Regional Policy Guidance Document
Southwestern Pennsylvania is at a critical juncture. Recent reports such as Brooking's "Back To Prosperity" and Sustainable Pittsburgh's "Citizens' Vision for Smart Growth" and "SWPA Regional Indicators" shed light on our region's challenges and opportunities. Before us is establishing our competitive niche in the emerging global economy. Moving forward as a center of innovation requires vision and regional resolve. Addressing challenges of the present holds promise for the region to again be a talent magnet and gateway in the new economy through strengthened urban cores, narrowing social inequities and regional cooperation for sustainable development.
Click here to read the introduction and review the policy document.
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Become an Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh
Use our new online sign-up for an easy way to show your support for sustainability in the Southwestern Pennsylvania area!
Click here for our Paypal enabled member sign up page. (You don't need a PayPal account to donate)
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New Report: Regional Visioning Public Participation – Best Practices
Regional visioning is going on across the country and around the world. In response to concerns about global competitiveness, sustainability and quality of life, major metropolitan regions, smaller regions, and even rural areas have undertaken public participation visioning processes. Regional Visioning is characterized as an effort to resolve key economic, social, environmental and growth issues in a manner that represents the values of the region’s residents and stakeholders. To remain economically competitive, a region needs to have an integrated economic development strategy tied to sound land use management and targeted infrastructure investment. To acquire and retain a trained workforce, which is a key element in an effective economic development strategy, a region needs to address social access and environmental quality issues. A regional visioning process provides an opportunity to address these issues and develop a strategy in a coordinated and inclusive manner. "The process should create a platform for participation,” John Parr, founder of the Alliance for Regional Stewardship.
Click here to view a .pdf copy of the report.
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Land Use Management ToolKit: Resources for Smart Development
The Land Use Management ToolKit, produced by Sustainable Pittsburgh is completed and ready to be mailed to you. The ToolKit is organized by action steps to assist interested citizens and elected officials who want to guide the growth and development of their communities through the preparation of a comprehensive plan. The ToolKit also provides contacts for available state and regional technical and financial resources ready to assist you. To schedule a workshop about the use of the ToolKit or comprehensive planning, please telephone 412-258-6642 or email info@sustainablepittsburgh.org.
Still Catching up on Sustainable Pittsburgh's Activities?
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