sustainable communities presentation - la bioneers beaming conference october 17, 2009

Community-driven change

Ashley Zarella Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIAChair, Sustainability CommitteeDirector, Area-Wide Workforce, Private SectorDowntown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council•Publicly elected June 2008

•Have worked downtown at AECOM since October 2007

•Have lived here since July 2008

1. Pasadena-Harbor Fwy (110)2. Hollywood Fwy (101)3. Santa Monica Fwy (10)4. LA River

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Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (Founded 2002)

Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (Founded 2002)

• One of 89 neighborhood councils, part of city-wide system started by 1999 City of Los Angeles Charter revision.

• Representing stakeholders who live, work, own a business, or are otherwise interested in the community.

• A 28 member board of directors (representing residents, workforce, business, social service providers, homeless, artists, educators)

• The 10:1 ratio More than 400,000 people work downtown while about 40,000 people live here.

The Sustainability Committee is dedicated to empowering the Downtown community to create a culture of sustainability.

We will work with the community to increase accessibility to existing programs and services through outreach and public education. We will identify and create opportunities for new programming and partnerships to meet our goals for a more livable,

affordable, and efficient urban center.

Sustainability Committee(Our mission)

Sustainability Committee(Founded 2008)

• Developing a community greening strategy and

resource toolkit for Downtown Los Angeles

• Increase participation by community members not traditionally involved with the neighborhood council

• Focusing on city services so product/work/case studies/reports/etc. is transferrable for use by other neighborhood councils

Our tools(Sustainability Committee: eight community projects)

• Outreach Connecting people to services and programs• Reach stakeholders at the neighborhood level• Focus on sharing information and capacity-building

(rather than trying to do it ourselves)

• Education Knowledge-sharing • Engage those with the know-how (professional or otherwise) to participate

in community-based initiatives• Empower the individual through community support

• Advocacy Voice for the community where necessary• Change the way the Neighborhood Council functions• Facilitate change through action

2009 Community-Based Initiatives(Sustainability Committee: eight community projects)

• Livability Urban Beautification and Living Solutions• Project 1: Rooftop Edible & Composting Containers• Project 2: Tree Planting

• Affordability Equity Now and for the Future• Project 3: Increase Participation in Energy & Water Efficiency Programs• Project 4: Increase participation in Recycling and Food Waste Programs

• Efficiency Resource Efficiency/Efficient Use of Resources• Project 5: Online Resource Toolkit of Existing Resources• Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant

• Empowerment Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice• Project 7: Event and Education Programming & Calendar• Project 8: Green Living Program

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot Project(Project 2: Tree Planting)

Objective: Create a tree planting initiative that maps opportunities for new street trees downtown. Set a realistic goal for number of trees planted in 2009 and identify key areas of the neighborhood with the greatest need.


FEBFEBProject Lead (Board Member) designed program for outreach, education, and advocacy.

• Create a pilot

• Understand the issues

• Inspire other projects (Rotary Club)


APRAPRResearch and community outreach to tree planting organizations, neighborhood stakeholders. Contacted every elected official with our neighborhood in their district (State, County, City).


MAYMAYCommunity outreach and a project team meeting to enlist volunteers for the project.

• Community Partner Los Angeles Conservation Corps


JUNJUN“Tree Fair” Educational Event at Central Public Library for information about planting trees.

• Los Angeles Conservation Corps• Million Trees LA• DWP• Rotary Club of Los Angeles

Morning• LA Neighborhood Land Trust• Pershing Square


JUNJUNSurvey Day with volunteers from Skid Row and the community-at-large for a morning walk/early afternoon around the neighborhood

Tree Planting Survey Day(June 2006)

[applause]


ONGOINGONGOINGOutreach and ongoing discussions with community partners. Research into maintenance funding – grants, elected officials, and Neighborhood Council Funds ($500).


OCTOCT

Designation as a “Signature Project” with a $11,160 maintenance budget

31 trees to maintain * 2 times a month * 12 months = $372/month

3 years of maintenance (24 gal trees)

$4,500 committed$6,660 to raise

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot(Project 2: Tree Planting)

• Phase I: planting 31 trees on S. Alameda

• Committed three years

for maintenance• Signature tree status

means bigger trees will be planted

• Pursuing additional

funding for Phase II

They’re coming!(Project 2: Tree Planting)

• 24-gallon Fern Pine Trees podocarpus macrophylla

• Pilot Develop a project template for future community-based tree planting initiatives

• Evaluate the issues Create a resource tool for the neighborhood through documentation and outreach

• Inspire other projects Foster partnerships to address community issues

• Empowerment Representing our Community as a Knowledgeable and Inclusive Voice

Case Study: Skid Row Pilot(Project 2: Tree Planting)

Case Study: SDAT(Project 6: Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant)

• American Institute of Architects, Center for Communities by Design

• $15,000 in professional assistance

• $5,000 community match

• 10 communities selected in 2009


[8 months = signed MOU with the City]


• Develop community goals with the help of steering committee/leaders

• Plan for low-hanging fruit projects for Neighborhood Council

• Strategic approach for longer-term goals and broader partnerships


• Livability

• Affordability

• Efficiency

Walkability


• Interactive placemaking workshop with Project for Public Spaces & James Rojas

• Community participation to build reputation, empowerment, and determine priorities

• Capacity-Building What role could the Neighborhood Council play in helping the community establish and meet sustainability goals?

• Partnerships We know our role is limited by resources and volunteer time – with whom should we partner to meet our goals?

• Low-Hanging Fruit What projects can we undertake?

• Long-Term Vision for the Community What should our strategic vision be for a sustainable community? How do we empower other Neighborhood Councils?


Los Angeles is rapidly changing.

The residential population increases annually.

Social equity is an issue for all neighborhoods.

There are empty tree wells, open storm drains, and a lot of waste.

Practical, accessible, affordable solutions will have the most immediate impact.

Get involved with your neighborhood council.

Share your passion for the environment.

Civic engagement can save our city.

downtownsustainability.com

sustainable communities presentation - la bioneers beaming conference october 17, 2009

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