Officials from three U.S. municipalities will return home today knowing that their communities’ improvement strategies have paid off.
Chicago, Illinois; Santa Monica California; and Purcellville, Virginia beat out 132 other communities from 40 states to be named this year’s Siemens Sustainable Community Awards winners. The awards, a joint initiative between the U.S. Chamber BCLC and Siemens Corporation, applaud the nation’s foremost examples of local public-private partnerships for sustainable development.
In a city where your luck can change in an instant, there are few things that are a sure bet. Except sustainability, that is. Las Vegas, a finalist for the 2012 Siemens Sustainability Community Awards, has embraced long-term sustainable initiatives to make the city more economically, socially and environmentally friendly—and their investment is paying off in spades.
A critical reason why cities and towns are able to be at the forefront of sustainable development is their ability to engage a broad swath of stakeholders and create effective partnerships. Communities are able to harness talent, energy and capital in innovative ways that drive progress. Through partnerships, communities are often able to achieve results that would otherwise be unattainable.
California has long been seen as on the forefront of environmental innovation and sustainability. So it’s not surprising that two out of the nine Siemens Sustainable Community Awards finalist are from California. One of those finalists, Santa Monica, is a finalist in the mid-size community category, and has a long history of implementing innovative sustainable practices.
We’ve all had the chance to work with high achievers in the workplace. They seem to have boundless energy and to be active in a little bit of everything. Well, the 2012 Siemens Sustainability Community Awards seek to recognize the high-achieving communities that are making great strides in sustainability. This year’s finalists are achievers that have taken sustainability to the next level.
It’s always good to hear about communities that embrace sustainability as the key to enhanced quality of life, economic opportunity, and strengthened infrastructure. And as I’ve learned recently, Chicago -- a finalist for the 2012 Siemens Sustainability Community Awards -- is one such community.
Communities both large and small face the common challenge of following through on ambitious sustainability plans. When a community announces a plan, the initial excitement and support appear to make success all but inevitable. But all too often, attention wanes as time passes and lofty goals remain unmet.
New Jersey is the first U.S. state to have a comprehensive municipal sustainability program that links certification with strong state and private financial incentives and a technical support and training program. The program is called Sustainable Jersey and in 2011, the City of Jersey City – New Jersey’s 2nd-largest city – focused its attention on achieving certification. The city’s green initiatives became organized under one umbrella project called, “365 Days of Green.”
Boston is one of America's oldest cities, with a rich economic and social history. As the Northeast region's hub, Boston is home to 617,594 residents, many institutions of higher education, some of the world's finest hospitals, and many cultural and professional sports organizations. Every year, millions of people visit Boston to take in its historic neighborhoods, attend cultural or sporting events, and conduct business.
Communities both large and small face the common challenge of following through on ambitious sustainability plans. When a community announces a plan, the initial excitement and support appear to make success all but inevitable. But all too often, attention wanes as time passes and lofty goals remain unmet.
Boston is one of America's oldest cities, with a rich economic and social history. As the Northeast region's hub, Boston is home to 617,594 residents, many institutions of higher education, some of the world's finest hospitals, and many cultural and professional sports organizations. Every year, millions of people visit Boston to take in its historic neighborhoods, attend cultural or sporting events, and conduct business.
