2010

State of Massachusetts

The 495/MetroWest region is one of the most economically productive in the state of Massachusetts and is still growing. Between 1980 and 2006, the region experienced a 59 percent increase in employment; during the 1990s alone, the region experienced a 12.1 percent increase in the local population. Though this trend is immensely beneficial to the area’s economic health, it also places a great strain on existing infrastructure and water supplies. More than 40 acres of open land per day, or nearly 300 acres every week in Massachusetts are converted into residential, commercial, or industrial land, putting local resources and biodiversity at risk. As a public/private association dedicated to the sustainable economic and physical growth of the region, the 495/MetroWest Partnership provides local businesses and governments with an effective strategy to ease burdens on local resources and ensure their future vitality through the Green Infrastructure Toolkit.

This report showcases the innovation and leadership of 22 chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic and social gain. Click here to download the report.

In his first trip “Down Under”, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield found many similarities between his community and that of Mayor Paul Pisasale of Ipswich, Australia.  Both cities are essentially bisected by waterways and both are focusing on returning to the riverfront, quality of life and sustainable development as keys to a brighter future.  “I was very impressed by all that I saw there,” said Littlefield.  “Both cities have the same heart.  Ipswich even has a walking bridge using an old railroad trestle which mirrors our restored Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga.”  Littlefield noted that other features were remarkable such as both cities having railroad museums and even such interesting details as back-in angle parking in the downtown area.  “We thought that we were doing something different in Chattanooga” Littlefield noted. 

Mayor Littlefield was invited to Australia to talk about Chattanooga’s transformation from “the most polluted city in America” in 1969 to a clean, green community of today that regularly  the 2 mayors makes top ten lists of most livable cities.  While in Australia, he also spoke to attendees at a conference sponsored by the International Riverfoundation, to a gathering of members of Partners for Livable Communities Australia, and a meeting of the Moreton Regional Council.  In a meeting with executives of Cisco Systems in Brisbane, Littlefield outlined Chattanooga’s world class fiber optic smart grid system that is moving his community ahead in the digital age and “once more, putting Chattanooga on the short list of progressive cities”.

Current Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, has long been a strong proponent for the creation of livable and sustainable communities.

Following an exciting appearance at the National Bike Summit’s Congressional Reception on March 15th, LaHood unveiled some new policy guidelines that will, in his words, “[integrate] the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects.”  Such policy changes will include raising the bar on design standards, additional data collection about current walking and biking trips, the protection of sidewalks and shared-use paths, and efforts to encourage respect for nonmotorized transportation modes. In a recent interview with Green Inc., posted in the New York Times, LaHood explains his new ideas, their impact, and defends his position against the harsh words of critics.  

To read the full interview click here.

This is a Compendium of Community Aging Initiatives, which was made possible by generous support from MetLife Foundation. The Compendium provides information on 121 initiatives and organizations across the country that are helping communities become more aging friendly. The goal of this project is to shorten the learning curve through continued information sharing and cross-learning, so please feel free to distribute this report to other individuals or organizations who may find it useful. The report was produced by the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services at University of California Berkley.  Click here to download the Report.