Sustainability Works

Hi and welcome to Sustainability Works!

Sustainability Works is the new blog of the APWA Center for Sustainability.   In this space you will find updates from the Center for Sustainability, news and information on current hot topics, announcements for potential funding opportunities and other resources from APWA.  The APWA Center for Sustainability was created in 2008 by the APWA Board of Directors to integrate the principles of sustainability into public works management.   Posts to the blog will primarily come from the APWA Director of Sustainability but every once in a while, we will invite guest bloggers to share their thoughts and ideas with the APWA community.   Participation and comments in the conversations that are started by each post is encouraged.  The Center Leadership Group sees this space as a place for a conversation and to share ideas and tips with peers about what sustainability in public works means. 

Last month Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh, PA welcomed public works and sustainability professionals to the 2012 Sustainability in Public Works Conference.  Were you there?

This year's conference brought together sustainability experts and public works innovators from across the US and Canada to explore the latest trends, best practices and newest approaches to developing sustainable infrastructure and services in their communities. 

The conference was kicked off with a keynote address from Mayor Patrick Henry Hayes from North Little Rock, AR and current President of ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability USA. Mayor Hayes explained to the audience how his commitment the next generation along with the need to provide for economic development in his community led him to undertake an ambitious plan to transform North Little Rock.  Attendees at the conference had many great presentations (visit http://www.apwa.net/sustainability to see many of the handouts from these presentations) and technical tours to choose from including lessons from Monaca Borough where they are reaping big savings and other benefits  by transforming lighting in their communities; lessons on how a SMARTRAFFIC system can improve highway efficiency; and lessons from two communities who have embraced green infrastructure; and technical  tours to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the Allegheny County green roof.  Another highlight of the conference was the buzz around the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) and the EnvisionTM Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System.  There were two excellent presentations that demonstrated how EnvisionTM can be used in the planning and evaluating of projects and exposed attendees to the benefits that using the system can provide.  ISI also had a booth in the exhibit hall where interested attendees could learn more about ISI and how they can get involved. 

All in all the conference was a great success and staff at national could not have done it without the support and assistance from the Western PA Chapter of APWA, Allegheny County.  Both were great hosts.  As a mater of fact, the County Executive issued a proclamation recognizing APWA for its work and commending the association for its efforts to educate its members on sustainability in public works.  (read the Proclamation here).  Finally a big thanks goes to Cathy Trexlor and her team of great volunteers who helped staff ensure that all ran smoothly.  

If you were able to join us in Pittsburgh feel free to share your thoughts below.  If you couldn't make it this year, hopefully you can make it to next year's conference.  Planning is already underway.  Consider submitting a proposal (http://www.apwa.net/conferences/cfp for more details) and check back for new details about the 2013 Sustainability in Public Works conference.

IBM and the Smarter Cities Challenge is partnering with 100 cities around the globe to solve complex urban challenges, awarding $50 million worth of services and technology over three years. IBM will contribute the time and expertise of  top experts from different business units and geographies, putting them on the ground for three weeks to work closely with city leaders and deliver recommendations on how to make the city smarter and more effective. 

In 2012, IBM worked with several Amerian cities on innovative solutions to solve complex local challenges. 

In Austin, TX, the IBM teamwas asked to investigate ways to address lingering disparities between East and West Austin, and propose a framework for the city to better coordinate and prioritize its infrastructure investments. The team delivered recommendations about transforming the delivery of social services, adopting a multi-modal approach to transportation planning, sharing data across city agencies, improving city communications, and creating an integrated planning process supported by an enterprise architecture. 

The IBM team in Mecklenburg County analyzed the feasibility of integrating the capital master planning in Mecklenburg County across multiple jurisdictions and issue areas, including parks, greenways, trails, recreation centers, libraries, schools, college campuses, residential and commercial developments, government facilities, transportation corridors, pedestrian and bicycle routes and watersheds.

In Providence, RI IBM helped the city plan for the reclaimation of 19.5 acres of land from the rerouting of Interstate 195, a freeway whose path through the Jewelry District isolated the area from the wave of revitalization that swept downtown Providence. The development of a new Knowledge District on this land requires the coordination of city agencies, state officials, developers and non-profit organizations. Mayor Angel Taveras challenged the IBM Team to create actionable recommendations for better, data-driven land use management, with systems that will promote the robust development of the city within and beyond the Knowledge District. The team identified four focus areas: organization, processes, technology, and performance, with recommendations that facilitate greater efficiency, greater alignment, better collaboration, more transparency and clear measurements. A better land use management system will enable the City to foster economic development by delivering more predictable review and approval times.

 When selecting the 2012 Smarter Cities Challenge grant recipients, several key criteria were considered.

The cities had to be prepared to match IBM's investment with their own commitment of time and resources. Proposals articulating pressing urban concerns that could be addressed by implementing *smarter* technologies and processes rose to the top of the list. Access to publicly available data that could leverage the capabilities of City Forward was an important consideration. And cities that demonstrated a solid track record of innovative problem solving were also viewed favorably.

You can learn more about the challenge and how to apply by visiting Smarter Cities Challenge.
 

Guest Post by Keith Reester, Director of Public Works, Loveland, Co.

Every day we build! Public works builds roads, bridges, sidewalks, and parks…are we doing it in a way that makes our communities better today and in the future?  If we look across our nation we face a dynamic shift in demographics and in community health; our population is aging and also rapidly growing in girth. So what difference does that make to public works professionals?

We are the managers of the built environment in our communities; we take the lead in assuring access by cars, bikes, and pedestrians. In many communities our past decisions now haunt our present as we try to build our way into a form of multi-modal connectivity. Some of us will discount the new efforts to add bike lanes at the expense of move vehicle travel lanes, or divert a portion of our dwindling and hard fought capital dollars to projects that seem to have far less users for the cost we pay for them. But part of building sustainable communities is about interconnecting neighborhoods and access to services that residents want and need. Sometimes it is being the leader in making this happen while in others it takes being a follower. In many communities the discussion of sustainability wraps around integrating and changing the built environment for better ecosystems and health.

In the past year HBO Films has developed series of films, The Weight of the Nation, highlighting what the United States faces in terms of obesity and the factors that contribute to its rapid rise. The link to the short film below (19 minutes) highlights changes in Nashville, Tennessee and watch for our peers on the Nashville team as they work through changes in community infrastructure to transform the health of their community.
 

http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/films/bonus-shorts/healthy-mom-healthy-baby-the-risks-of-excess-weight#./nashville-takes-action-a-city-battles-obesity

Another interesting film on the built environment and communities in featured in the one-hour documentary Urbanized http://urbanizedfilm.com/

So what are you doing in your community to  integrate and change the built environment for better ecosystems and health?

The Center for Sustainability Leadership Group is proud to announce the release of a new video that highlights the role public works plays in creating sustainable communities.  The goal of the Center in creating this video was to inform, educate and inspire you to learn more about practical and effective sustainable projects and solutions.  The video highlights innovative projects in seven cities across the US and Canada that are creating vibrant communities by balancing the environmental, economic and social needs of their communities.   The projects featured in the video reflect a broad range of municipalities and solutions to different community challenges and are easily replicable by other communities.   

As you watch the video think about how you are contributing to sustainability in your community --  – I bet most of you already have sustainable projects in your community.  Public works professionals have always been focused on creating and maintaining the quality of life in our cities and towns.  Also, as you watch, think about how you can implement similar projects and solutions in your community or what additional information or resources you need to create sustainable communities.  The Center for Sustainability Leadership Group created this video to help inform and inspire you because as President Diane Linderman says in the video “ …regardless of the size of your town, the climate, location or the financial resources you have at your disposal, we – as public works professionals—along with the people that live in our communities  -- together, we are all stewards of sustainability.” 

One DVD copy of the 22 minute video, along with additional materials from the Center for Sustainability, will be sent to all APWA Chapters in September, and Chapters and Branches are able to request additional copies of the DVD by contacting Julia Anastasio at janastasio@apwa.net for chapter and branch use. 

Runtime: 23:03                                                                                                   Watch on APWATV

Guest post by Jeralee Anderson, Executive Director, Greenroads Foundation.

As part of their growing membership and education programs, Greenroads Foundation developed a professional credential to complement its Project Rating Program and to advance sustainability education for the transportation industry. The Greenroads Team launched its first examination, called the STP Alpha Exam, for transportation professionals in mid-September. They recently announced the list of the first 25 Sustainable Transportation Professionals (STP) who have completed the exam successfully. You can see a list of them here. The first group of STPs represents 8 states and 5 countries!

The Greenroads STP is currently analogous to LEED’s entry level professional credential, the LEED Green Associate. In light of the previous post about the USGBC’s LEED Rating System and its Accredited Professional program, it is worth mentioning that while the Greenroads’ STP is structured similarly, there are several important differences.

• Like LEED, Greenroads STPs can earn points on Greenroads Projects through a Custom Credit and it is voluntary to do so. The STP Credential is not required to participate on a Greenroads Project or submit documents to Greenroads on behalf of the Project. The STP does need to be actively engaged in a Project’s Certification, but also does not need to represent a specific organization, owner, or contractor in order to earn a point.
• A team of STPs can earn points for Projects, as a way to encourage integrated teams of design and construction professionals. This is a direct response to several public comments Greenroads developers received referencing the issue of “sustainable project management” for transportation projects.
• There are currently no minimum education requirements to get an STP, so there is also no initial application process to become an STP Candidate. The intended audience for the exam is anyone who works with transportation projects, with an emphasis on roadways.
• A STP is an individual has demonstrated his or her knowledge of basic principles of sustainable transportation design and construction practices, as well as a general knowledge of the Greenroads Rating System and how the Project Rating Program works. However, detailed knowledge of credits and requirements in Greenroads is not needed to pass the exam.
• The STP Exam is an educational benefit of active membership in the Greenroads organization. The Exam is free to individual members, and anyone who is involved in or interested in sustainable transportation is encouraged to join as a member.

In the future, Greenroads also plans to build out the STP program with higher levels of specialization in the Rating System over time. The next level exam is planned for launch in early- to mid- 2013.

How to Learn More and Get Involved

• Visit the Greenroads website (www.greenroads.org). Here you can learn more about the Greenroads Rating System, register for the STP Exam or check out unique learning opportunities.
• Start studying. More information on the STP Alpha Exam, including details on what to study, can be found in the 18-page Candidate Handbook.
• Get prepared. Greenroads is offering 90 minute Exam Prep webinars regularly on Tuesdays starting in January 2013, with the first two scheduled December 4 and 11, just before the winter holidays.
• Connect online. Other learning opportunities and events are announced regularly on the Greenroads Facebook page and @Greenroads on Twitter.

By the way, APWA is an important educational partner and member organization of Greenroads. Julia Anastasio currently serves on Greenroads Foundation’s Board of Directors with other representatives of the transportation industry.

Everyday when I open my inbox I find a new report or set of best practices relating to sustainability.  Here's one that from AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials')  Center  Environmental Excellence that documents how state transportation departments, municipal planning organizations, and transit providers are putting into practice proven techniques that are speeding up project delivery and cutting costs while protecting and even improving environmental resources.

Leaner and Greener: Sustainability at Work in Transportation issued by AASHTO, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, showcases some of the many ways transportation agencies are simultaneously cutting costs, helping the environment, and strengthening communities.

In a previous post, I told you about a project APWA's Center for Sustainability has been participating in with several of our partners, including The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) , the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).  Shortly before the end of the year we  announce the release of a new livability resource, Livability Literature Review: A Synthesis of Current Practice. This new comprehensive report describes how livability is understood, provides examples of livable communities in practice, and adds clarity to several concepts.

In order to build and improve upon the work of the partnership, we are still seeking case studies that showcase how you are creating more livable communities.  We have put together a simple survey monkey form for you to use to submit your stories today.  These case studies will showcase the important work in which your community is engaged and help future communities create more livable communities. Click HERE to share your case study.

The members of the APWA Center for Sustainability Leadership Group are pleased to release the Center’s Strategic Plan and Action Plan. 

Since its creation, the APWA Center for SUstainability has developed a series of tools, resources and professional development programs to further its goals and objectives.  Now that a foundation has been laid for sustainability in public works, the Center Leadership Group determined that it was the appropriate time to take a step back and evaluate where we have been and where we would like to be in the long term. 

Since July of 2012, the members of the APWA Center for Sustainability Leadership Group have been developing a five year strategic plan to guide the Center’s efforts and activities in the coming years  The goal of the strategic planning effort was to identify the strategies and tactics, resource requirements and an implementation plan that will enable the Center for Sustainability to continue to bring the principles of sustainability to the public works profession.  In formulating the plan, the Center Leadership Group identified that the building of sustainable communities is the greatest challenge to public works in the 21st Century. 

The adopted Strategic Plan focusses on meeting this challenge and recommits APWA as an organization to the promotion and support of public works professionals’ efforts to advance sustainability in their communities.  The Strategic Plan identifies six goals for the next five years: 

(1) institutionalize sustainability principles and practices into all APWA operations so that APWA as an organization can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability;

(2) design and execute an effective marketing and outreach program on APWA Center for Sustainability activities, resources and accomplishments;

(3) leverage existing APWA resources, programs and initiatives to fully integrate sustainability throughout all APWA offerings;

(4) promote and support the Institute for Sustainable infrastructure and the EnvisionTM Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System;

(5)  develop the next generation of sustainability leaders; and

(6)  establish APWA as a leader on sustainability with other organizations considered key to influencing community sustainability.   

The Center Leaders also identified a series of activities they can implement to ensure that the six identified goals of the strategic plan are implemented.  For instance, the strategy identifies the integration of sustainable components or principles into the curriculum of APWA’s professional development activities to ensure that we are providing APWA members with the latest information on applying sustainability principles to public works management.  The Strategic Plan also identifies highlighting the role the EnvisionTM  rating system can play in helping a community meet its sustainability goals.   Each of the goals and action items identified in the plan continues to solidify the foundation for public works professionals to take the lead in building sustainable communities for the 21st Century.    The Strategic Plan also clarifies and further refines the role of the APWA Center for Sustainability. The APWA Center for Sustainability exisits to inform APWA members on best practices, tools, and knowledge, identifies and communicates a compelling case for sustainability in public works, and creates,complies, organizes and distributes information on creating sustainable communities.

Over the coming weeks, months and years the APWA Center for Sustainability Leadership Group will be working to see that the mission and vision of the APWA Center for Sustainability and the goals and actions identified in the Strategic Plan and Action Steps are fulfilled. 

To review the full Strategic Plan and Action Steps click here.
 

It’s been a busy few months for the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure. 

Stantec has become the most recent company to commit to getting at least 100 of its employees credentialed as ENV SPs this year. Other “fast track” companies are Arcadis, Arup, HDR, and Psomas.

This month’s edition of the APWA Reporter has two terrific articles on Envision^TM.

    - Vicki Vickery Quiram and Carl Quirams’ article: Envision – The tool that creates confidence.
    - Kim Lundren’s article ENV SP: The only accreditation I will ever have.


Many ENV SPs will be speaking at next week's 2013 APWA Sustainability in Public Works Conference.

     - Ann Radil will give a presentation on "Using Envision to Advance the Practice of Sustainable Design and    Construction"
     - Katherine Gies will discuss "Achieving Wastewater Treatment Plant Sustainability Goals Using Envision"
    - David Reardon and Stephane Laroque will talk about "Sustainable ROI: Making the Business Case for Sustainability"
    - Kim Lundgren will discuss "Assessing Vulnerabilities of Infrastructure to Climate Change"
     - Jay Bockish will present a "Comparison of Transportation Sustainability Rating Systems"
     - Rene Vidales will participate in a panel discussion of "North Park San Diego: From Historic Neighborhood to Sustainable Community"

The Center for Sustainability has also added new EnvisionTM resources to its website to help public works departments join ISI and to incorporate sustainability principles into RFPs.

ISI has added a new feature to its website that will help you find speakers or presenters for your conferences or meetings.  You can now "Request a Speaker" for your event or group to learn more about Envision^TM.   Download the form at the bottom of the Resources tab on ISI's website.