Check out the Green Jobs Philly website under the "Related Links" list of our page for great information concerning green jobs and green happenings in and around Philly.

Smart Growth for Philadelphia

Clearly “smart growth” is a crucial part of becoming a greener city. Generally the concept is based on a more well-rounded and thought-out approach to urban planning. Therefore, smart growth simply refers to “any of a number of programs designed to help the city manage growth to avoid or eliminate suburban sprawl and to direct economic development and population growth in ways that minimize their impacts on the physical environment” (Portney).

Clearly the way that cities urbanized and the way many have broken down in post-industrial stages present serious challenges to currently functioning as eco-friendly centers. Smart growth is a direct attempt to re-establish a form of thoughtful urban development in a way that uses the existing infrastructure and plans well for new projects and policies. Many smart growth policies “involve efforts to encourage infill economic development and development that produces fewer negative environmental impacts” (Portney).

Numerous cities, including Philadelphia are looking very seriously at the “development of ‘eco-industrial parks’, concentrated areas of development that encourage location of related industries that pollute less and even take advantage of production relationships that facilitate industrial reuse and recycling” (Portney). This practice is specifically applicable to Philadelphia as it attempts to fill some of the post-industrial voids of the inner city with more environmentally oriented development.


In Summary, here is a short list of programs and policies that are clearly connected to sustainability. The focus is on whether the city has:
· managed development by developing eco-industrial parks;
· committed to cluster or targeted economic development;
· established one or more eco-villages; and
· established a local brown field redevelopment initiative.

Red Green and Blue is a blog that raises some important issues related to 'greening the city'. Examples from several major international cities are presented.

Montgomery Park

Baltimore is an interesting city to look at when discussing greening Philly because, although the scale of Philly is much larger, they have many similarities in the challenges they face as post-industrial cities. Baltimore has in recent years boasted the incorporation of green development that serves as a good example eco-friendly development.

Montgomery Park is a major green project in central Baltimore that exemplifies how development may look in the greener future. For Montgomery Park, specific features include: “a green roof planted with alpine vegetation that reduces storm runoff by 50 to 70 percent; a cistern system that tunnels rainwater to flush the toilets; a rooftop ice storage system that complements the air conditioning; and construction waste that has been recycled into the renovation… Its owners say that uses half the energy of a conventionally built office building” (Cohen 2006).

Although there are great ecological incentives for carrying out these projects, economic sustainability remains a constant factor. “Altruistic intentions alone aren't enough to bring sustainable building practice into the mainstream… [Builders] must see a practical, financial benefit” (Cohen 2006). This seems to be where the market is going. And Philadelphia, although it needs more of these types of projects to climb the green ladder, took a good first step with the completion of the Comcast Center, the largest LEEDS certified green building in the nation.

More on Urban Orchards

This is a follow up to the previous post concerning the Philadelphia Orchard Project. Here is a helpful link that provides great general information about installing urban eco-orchards:

http://www.phillyorchards.org/pdf/urban_eco_orchards.pdf

Philly could really use some of these orchards and if people can access information about what is being planted and how it can be done, individuals can act more promptly to help make a difference.

Planting Orchards in Philly

Spreading the Word:


The Philadelphia Orchard Project

General Mission Statement: "To plant orchards in the city of Philadelphia that provide healthy food, green spaces and community food security".


Upcoming Events:

"We invite you to participate in this season’s POP events, working alongside volunteers from our community partners to plant orchards all over the city. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome. These events involve digging, planting, and spreading compost and mulch, so expect to get dirty. We can’t guarantee tools for all; if you bring your own, it is advisable to write your name on them. Snacks and beverages to share are also welcome. Planting events can generally be expected to last between 2 and 4 hours."

You can sign on the volunteer email list for up-to-date info on events and or learn more about the project in general at

http://www.phillyorchards.org/

Obstacles to Philadelphia Greenness

The following blog contributes to the greater idea of evaluating Philadelphia's greenness:

"Philly Greenness" explores a range of obstacles that stand in Philadelphia's way of becoming the greenest city in America. The blog's principal goal is to bring attention to some of the issues the city is currently facing. Learn more about some of these issues at:

http://phillygreenness.blogspot.com