USDN now helps partners, sustainability professionals, and our followers stay up to date with USDN members' innovations through the Urban Sustainability Bulletin, formally known as the Innovation Report. This newsletter highlights key updates from USDN as well as key accomplishments from our member communities to give you a sense of what is happening in the field of urban sustainability and particularly our four focus areas - GHG Reduction, Climate Resilience, Social Equity and Community Engagement, and Urban Sustainability.

October 2021

Social Equity and Community Engagement

Photo Credit:

Montgomery County Media

Montgomery County MD Launches Solar Project for Low-Income Community: Montgomery County MD launched their first community solar project specifically impacting low and moderate-income families at an affordable housing apartment complex, providing an opportunity for subscribers to save $500 annually on their energy bills.

Charlottesville VA Creating a Heat Map: Charlottesville VA began collecting data this past summer to create a heat map to inform policies that will help them reduce their GHG emissions and address inequitable heat island neighborhoods.

Sarasota County FL Launches Sustainability Contest for Youth: In an effort to involve and engage youth in their community, Sarasota County FL launched a video contest for youth, inviting them to share their ideas around sustainability and climate solutions for their Sustainable Communities Workshop later in the fall.

GHG Reduction

Photo Credit:

OPB

Portland OR Makes Crucial Decisions to Fight Climate Change: Portland OR decided to deny an air quality permit for Zenith Energy, a local fossil fuel developer, in keeping with their current and planned climate goals.

Evanston IL Releases New Strategy to Reach Carbon Neutrality: Evanston IL released a strategy to reach their goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 by taking various steps to reduce carbon emissions through the use of renewable energy and the elimination of fossil fuels.

Climate Resilience

Photo Credit:

Steven Senne/AP

Somerville MA Introduces Urban Forest Management Plan: Somerville MA released an Urban Forest Management Plan to help the city increase canopy coverage and improve tree health in the city for their climate resilience and equity efforts.

Urban Sustainability

Photo Credit:

Dallas Parks Foundation

USDN Members Featured in List of World's Most Impressive Urban Forests: Intelligent Living featured USDN Members Austin TX, Dallas TX, Charlotte NC, New York City NY, Portland OR, Sacramento CA, and Washington DC in their list of Most Impressive Urban Forests Around the World, citing criteria including aesthetics, public safety, and GHG emissions reduction.

USDN Member Mayors Appointed to EPA Committee: USDN member mayors and other leaders from Newark NJ, Lincoln NE, Detroit MI, Houston TX, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, Eugene OR, Philadelphia PA, Palm Beach County FL, Madison WI, Maui County, and Snohomish County WA were appointed to the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee to advise on critical environmental issues in their communities.

Buffalo NY Hosts Urban Farm Day: Buffalo NY hosted an Urban Farm Day to increase interest in urban agriculture by showcasing 15 farms plus one in the neighboring city of Tonawanda NY while also showcasing workshops and speakers.

Philadelphia PA to Revamp their Public Transit System: SEPTA released a plan to makeover Philadelphia PA’s bus system by redesigning routes to be more accessible and increase ridership while continuing efforts to reduce GHG emissions.

Columbus OH Smart Columbus Project Continues Moving Forward: Columbus OH’s Smart Columbus Project has wrapped up their participation in the Smart City Challenge and will be moving forward as a collaborative innovation lab to continue planning and launching new technologies for micromobility and public transit.