Ch 16- Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is comprised of the United State's coastal Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, and Canada's western coast. This region is known for its rugged independence and environmentally sustainability. In this spirit, we will discuss Philadelphia's efforts to become a more environmentally 'green' city. 

In 2008, the new Mayor, Michael Nutter, pledged to make Philadelphia the number one green city in America. So, in order to do this, he created the Mayor's Office of Sustainability. 

The Mayor, and Office of Sustainability introduced the Greenworks Philadelphia plan in 2009. This ambitious plan sets 15 sustainability targets in the areas of energy, environment, equity, economy and engagement to make Philadelphia the greenest city in America by 2015 (Office of Sustainability). 

In the five goal areas, there are 15 measurable (and obtainable) targets. Here are just some of the targets included in the Greenworks plan: 
-Lower City Government Energy Consumption by 30%
-Purchase and Generate 20% of Electricity Used from Alternative Energy Sources
-Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 20%
-Improve Air Quality toward Attainment of Federal Standards
-Divert 70% of Solid Waste from Landfill
-Provide Walkable Access to Park and Recreation Resources and Affordable Healthy Foods for All Philadelphians

1962                                                                    2011
Air Quality has visibly improved as seen from South Broad Street. 

So far, the city has: reduced our municipal energy use by 5%; more than tripled our curbside residential recycling rates; increased access to healthy, affordable food for more than 200,000 Philadelphians; and completed 428 miles of bike lanes. 

Philadelphia also has added 63,000 new trees throughout the city, increased the state of good repair in resilient infrastructure by 4%, and increased the amount of alternative energy use by 10%.

Halfway through the timeline, 148 of 167, or 89% of the Greenworks initiatives have been completed or started work on. 

Here is a great video about the ways Philadelphia is working to become more energy efficient.

In order to continue the sustainability efforts, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission adopted the new comprehensive plan, Philadelphia 2035 - Citywide Vision, in June 2011. This plan provides overall policy and location guidance for future private and public investment. Organized under the themes of Thrive, Connect and Renew, the plan makes recommendations that are mostly directly related to the Greenworks priorities. Because of this comprehensive plan, "Philadelphia will continue over the next 20 years to: improve neighborhood livability; make Philadelphia more economically competitive; adapt utility services to changing technology and consumption patterns; increase equitable access to open-space resources; and fulfill City obligations to meet ambitious federal environmental standards."

Overall, considerable work has been done while attempting to achieve Mayor Nutter's goal. Philly currently boasts the highest green office building in the Country! Philadelphia is striving to be a model for urban environmental sustainability. 



All quotations, information, data, and statistics were obtained from the 2012 Greenworks Update Progress Report, which can be found in it's entirety, here.