Greenadelphia
Philadelphia Daily News (opinion page) – Thu, May. 14, 2009
By THOMAS J. WALSH
Philadelphia Daily News
YOU MIGHT be shocked to know that in some circles in Washington – circles pretty close to the corridors of power – Philadelphia is considered a model American city.
Not K Street-close, but still close, especially with a Democratic president and a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress. But this isn’t about politics. It’s about the absence of politics, specifically the absence of local politicians.
It is a watershed moment in Philadelphia. … And until now, with the economy in a shambles, there hasn’t been a whiff of the other kind of green in the air.
The big idea: Smart cities embrace sustainability
Philadelphia Daily News – Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
By THOMAS J. WALSH
The term “sustainability” boils down to the “triple bottom line” for any company or program: Its impact on people, its impact on the planet and its profitability.
The embrace of profit as one of the three elements of the triple bottom line is sensible, not cynical – we can make a good living from living well.
Besides, marrying a movement to money does wonders for its viability, and that’s what makes the term different from, say, ’60s farming communes.
On the horizon: Coherent planning, zoning
Philadelphia Daily News – Tue, Apr. 28, 2009
By ALAN JAFFE & THOMAS J. WALSH
The collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis in 2007, killing 13, was both a real and symbolic disaster. The word “infrastructure” quickly became a catch-all to describe a nation literally crumbling after decades of neglect – the philadlephia region included.
“Infrastructure” includes far more than bridges – it encompasses the region’s roads, rails, waterways, utilities and open space. The city’s Metropolitan Moment demands that we see all of these as part of a comprehensive and integrated system.
This region has more than its share of challenges.
