cm10 expect change seize opportunity ed mcmahon
TRANSCRIPT
Sustainability & Place
Community Matters Conference
Denver, Colorado
© Ed McMahon
-- Brent Toderian, Planning Director, Vancouver, B.C
What is Sustainable Development and why is it vital?
development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
Source: United Nations, Bruntland Commission Report
It is about our children
-Aldo Leopold
harmony between man and
Sustainability Goals
Healthy Environment Vigorous Economy
Vibrant Community
Why Sustainability Now ?
Climate Change Energy Issues Infrastructure Deficit Unsustainable Land use Population Growth Makes Business Sense
Global Warming
unequivocal, and human activity is the main driver, very likely causing most of the rise in temperatures since
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Feb. 2007
Moral Imperative?
Climate Chaos
hottest summer, in the hottest year, in the hottest decade
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2010
Regulatory Imperative? 33 states representing 70% of US population are developing climate action plans. 21 states have set carbon reduction targets. 1060 US Mayors, representing over 100 million people have adopted the Kyoto Protocol. President Obama endorsed and the US House of Representatives passed legislation to cap & trade carbon emissions. US EPA is now regulating carbon Sources: Newsweek, US Conference of Mayors,
High Energy Prices?
In 1970 the US imported 24% of its oil from foreign providers In 1990 the US imported 42% of its oil In 2008 the US imported 70% of its oil The cost of imported oil reached over $600 billion per year in 2008
Do you think the long term trend for energy prices is to go up or down?
Unsustainable Land Use in USA
Large Lot Subdivisions Strip Commercial
Taking Up More Space Household vs. Lot Size
Lot Size
Family Size
Even though the number of people per household has decreased from 3.57 to 2.62 over the last 50 years, the amount of land that each individual home consumes has increased by nearly 60 percent.
Growth Trends Reinforce Driving
Infrastructure Deficit US needs $220 billion per year for needed repairs to roads, bridges & other infrastructure Fed. state & local government spend less than half this amount
raised since 1993
global competitors
I-35 Bridge Collapse Minneapolis
Train Service in Europe & Japan
FAST Frequent Goes Everywhere
Train Service in US Slow
Infrequent, or Non-Existent
Population Growth
100 Million New Residents by 2050 44 Million New Housing units 1.1 Million Units per year Demographic shifts and Immigration Decline of Traditional Households
Demographic Shifts
Baby Boomers and Retirees 80 million Immigrants 40 million Millennials (18 to 30 year olds) 80 million Women (single-parent households) - 30 million 75 % of American households do not have school age children
Sustainability in Action
Sustainability - More Than Technology
The top issues: Energy Water Land use Transportation Waste Carbon Community Character
It is about quality of life Affordability Walkability Placemaking Community Building
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Doug Kelbaugh, Dean, University of Michigan, School of Architecture
not beautiful, it will not be loved, if it is
National Automobile Slum
Venice, Italy -‐ Venice, California
Sense of Place That which makes are physical surroundings
worth caring about
place may be the only truly defensible source of
competitive advantage for
The Distinctive Community
Joe Cortwright, City Vitals
Secrets of Successful Communities Develop a vision for the future Inventory local assets and resources Build plans around the enhancement of assets Use education, incentives, partnerships and voluntary initiatives not just regulation Pick and choose among development proposals Cooperate with neighbors for mutual benefit Protect community character as well as ecology and economics Have strong leaders & committed citizens
Most Polluted City
Model for Sustainable Development
Key Lesson Learned
How much something costs is not the most important question.
Key Lesson Learned
Why would anybody invest in a
Inventory Assets Natural Resources Cultural Resources Human Resources Economic Resources Educational Resources
Sometimes the Assets are Obvious
Sometimes They Are Not Obvious
Explore Beyond Regulation
Education Incentives Partnerships Voluntary Initiatives
Why Do We Educate?
Why Should We Use Incentives?
Community Character Matters
take stock of a man. The clothes or appearance are the externals
- Mark Twain
Community Character
Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga Springs, New York
Deteriorates One Project at a Time
Grand Union Grocery Store, Saratoga Springs, New York
And it Can Get Better One Project at a Time
Grand Union Plaza & Hotel, Saratoga Springs, New York
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES PICK
AND CHOOSE AMONG DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSALS
Would you rather shop here?
Or here?
spend more money and come back more often to places that attract their
Source: Urban Design and the Bottom Line, ULI, 2009
Hometown Hero's!
Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
- Margaret Mead
It Is Not Always Easy
Leadership is Important But often Unappreciated
Vision counts but
implementation is priceless!
First Road Trip Horatio Nelson Jackson, Sewall K. Crocker & Bud
Source: www.pbs.org