Pathways to Urban Sustainability A Focus on the Houston Metropolitan Region: Summary of a Workshop (2012) / Chapter Skim
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2 FRAMING THE SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION
2 FRAMING THE SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION
Pages 5-14
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From page 5... ...
Contributing to the city's economy are approximately 5,000 energy-related firms; the Texas Medical Center, which treats almost five million patients a year; and the Port of Houston, which ranks first in the country in terms of international tonnage shipped. Houston has international trade through its ports and airport, food sourced globally, and building materials shipped in from all over the world.
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, gave his vision of a sustainable community, explained its importance, and discussed potential pathways toward sustainability. He noted that a sustainable community is foremost livable, accessible, and affordable, with a stable economy, healthy ecosystems, and an engaged public.
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As an example of a global issue affected by urban sustainability, he pointed to climate change. According to the Clinton Climate Initiative, cities cover less than one percent of the earth's surface, but are disproportionately responsible for causing climate change.
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Their policy, called Room for the River, examines humanity's relationship to water and allows for more space to be given up as a way to accommodate changes occurring due to climate change. FIGURE 2-1 Scales of urban form and policy instrument to impact green house gas emissions.
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An important complement to smart growth is landscape conservation, biodiversity, and reduced impacts of climate change on the viability of these habitats. What is needed, Mr.
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In addition to the initial grant money, another $2 million in matching contributions was given by consortium partners. The consortium is composed of government, nonprofit, academic, economic development organizations, private sector, and other special purpose entities, Mr.
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The public engagement component, Mr. Taebel explained, will consist of 200 community meetings throughout the region, a major survey, kiosks at high-traffic events, and a multi-prong social media approach.
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The organization is leading efforts on a green infrastructure planning project for the Houston-Galveston region, and elements of the project will be incorporated into the environmental strategy for the regional Sustainable Communities plan. A third area of cooperation involves the Gulf Coast Economic Development District, a non-profit that envisions a healthy regional economy for citizens of the Gulf Coast.
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Region H, which includes portions of the Trinity, San Jacinto, and Brazos river basins, and encompasses the Houston metropolitan area, adds an additional five counties outside of the H-GAC's 13 counties. Several members of the breakout group suggested that a comprehensive regional sustainability plan could be developed from a set of existing separate plans.
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From page 14... ...
Another key component of the implementation plan would be public participation; however, a functional model for how best to do that still needs to be identified.
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