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Every city can involve the existing resources of their community to implement the most appropriate changes for their unique community.
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Every city and community is unique. It is unique in environmental conditions, culture and heritage, and in its people. That is why each city should use their existing resources; human, natural, and intellectual; to develop adaptive policies and implement changes. Fayetteville, Arkansas cannot use the same policies and innovations that Miami, Florida use.
How can this be done? By creating a mechanism for wide ranging community stakeholders to come together, identify community issues, and find ways to work together to address those issues. The mechanism would require continued involvement and commitment from local government agencies and other primary city organizations BUT it is crucial that those agencies do not control the process or the outcome. It cannot be just a one-time political initative but an ongoing, evolving mechanism to allow for the changes in the local climate – environmental, economic, and political.
Don’t believe it can be done? Wrong, Fayetteville, Arkansas began such a program in April 2009 and it is continuing to evolve and adapt to the changing climate of our city. The program is led by a volunteer group of community members with support and commitments from the City government, local university, and chamber of commerce, in addition to numerous other organizations and individuals. They have developed their own structure, based on what is most effective for Fayetteville. Involvement, membership, issues, and initiatives are developed and driven by the community – and allowed to fluctuate and evolve as the COMMUNITY. Fayetteville community members have focused and taken action on economic development, transportation, creative economy, local food, community inclusion, health, education, and sustainability.
Why is this innovative? A city government can adopt a progressive policy or law, they can get funding for an innovative program, BUT if the policy, law, or program does not come from the community it will either fail or take an unnecessarily large amount of funding to convince the community to embrace it. If it comes from the community, city governments will spend much less time and resources trying to convince the community of the need for their program or policy and can use their existing resources more efficiently and responsibly.
Sounds easy? It’s not. It takes a serious commitment from local government agencies and organizations. It also takes a little funding to support the program and keep it going. Fayetteville spent approximately $40,000 on this program in the 2 years since it began. It also takes convincing the community members that they do have the power to do something themselves. And it takes building community trust – and keeping that trust.
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On April 29th, 2011 at 11:32 am Susanna, PF Web Maven Said:
I absolutely love this idea. You’re exactly right — without addressing the real needs of the community, anything a city does to mitigate the impacts of climate change will fall on deaf ears. What are some of the victories you’ve achieved through this program? What are the challenges?
Thank you for submitting this idea!
On April 29th, 2011 at 11:33 am Susanna, PF Web Maven Said:
PS – I’ve featured it on the home page as an “Editor’s Pick”.
On May 1st, 2011 at 6:24 pm Julie McQuade Said:
Thanks Susanna.
We now have a monthly cultural arts event that has improved opportunities for local artists and serves as a resource for non-profits, in addition to building community around the arts.
We are 1 of 2 pilot cities for the Home Depot Foundation – Sustainable Cities Institute because of this program.
We now have formal partnerships for economic development and innovation with the Chamber of Commerce and University of Arkansas.
We have a group focused on our green economy and some of their members have been invited to Washington DC to discuss initiatives they’ve been working on in the last year.
We’ve been awarded grants and funding for various projects largely because of the collaboration and partnerships within this program.
We were able to secure 1 of 2 green workforce training centers being awarded funding and are developing job opportunities for the first graduates of this center through efforts of the green economy group of this program.
One of the current initiatives has been on local food – we now have a Local Food program that connects local chefs, restaurants, farmers, and schools, in addition to educating the public about the benefits of local food. Several sectors of our community see direct benefits of this.
Some of the challenges have been finding a way to support the growth of the program without any one entity taking control, which would impact its open, collaborative nature.
Another challenge has been allowing the program to evolve – by this I mean letting an intiative or focus area drop to the wayside because the community interest has dwindled. It is part of the natural process but some see it as a failure. It is really applying resources and efforts where they will have the greatest impact, and not wasting them trying to keep a certain piece going without the community support to feed it.
On May 5th, 2011 at 12:22 pm Elmer Stenger Said:
I have been working on a plan for residential construction that would use many innovative ideas, that combined would probably come close to being self sufficient. Some of the ideas are, passive solar,tight construction and insulated above the current residential code. the windows will have R 9 rating.
I originally designed it to have a 11″x12″ pitch roof facing south, with thin film photo cells. A combined heat & power unit to supply those necessities during the winter months when solar would be limited. There will be vestibules at main entrances to avoid drafts during entering. Gutters at the roof eaves will be replaced with concrete gutters below the eaves at grade level to eliminate debris and water backup during the winter season.
Water requirements will be greatly reduced due to the use of composting toilets, which also produce compost fertilizer, which is superior to chemicals and doesn’t involve the use of fossil fuels. It would also eliminate sewage charges. Composting toilets use just a few ounces of water to flush and are odor free. The compost requires very little attention and just requires removing it from the composter once per year. (They are in use at the Bronx Zoo) and have been in use for over 30 years in many different types of buildings.
The building as proposed will be open for inspection, with records of temperature, humidity and utility bills to verify the cost and comfort. It will of necessity have a heat recovery ventilator
I have contacted my local building inspection, who tell me if it conforms to the 2009 International residential code, and zoning it will be approved for construction. My plan is to convince collaborators in the construction of the building, that by allowing inspection and verification by officials and the public They will be rewarded by prospective customers wanting the innovative products and construction in their present or new construction in the future.
I would like some governmental input, as well as producers of the products to review the plans and specifications, for their comments.
The project has been in the planning process for over three years. I have been in the construction business for over 60 years. Have built a passive house in 1981-82 that has shown good results, but doesn’t contain many of the newer innovations, and techniques proposed here.
I have been in contact with thin film photo cell suppliers, and CHP systems, but have not been completely sold on their products due to high cost, perhaps rebates and other incentives will change the thinking on them. I invite comments and criticism from interested parties
On May 10th, 2011 at 12:35 pm Joel Goldberg Said:
Hi Elmer,
Thank you for your continued commentary and interest in the site. It does not go unappreciated!
You have been “working on a plan,” you say? Let’s see it! Submit your idea to Planet Forward at the top of the page. As we speak, Planet Forward is focusing on smart community projects from around the world. Your idea for reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and utilizing green architecture is exactly the kind we need.
It could be the first step toward receiving the government input and product reviews you seek!
Good luck,
Joel Goldberg
Planet Forward Intern