Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has rolled out a plan he says will make Atlanta one of the nation’s top 10 “green” cities, with less smog, more park space, a larger percentage of locally produced food and improved water conservation.
The top 10 ranking that Reed seeks is from Sustainlane.com, an online site for fans of “green” living. Atlanta ranked 19th, up from 38th, in the group’s 2008 peer-reviewed survey.
On Oct. 25, Reed announced a plan to achieve the top 10 ranking. His plan includes a combination of new projects and policy initiatives, as well as the continuation of several successful, well-established programs. The plan sets sustainability benchmarks for all city departments, such as the reduction of petroleum fuel usage and water system leakage.
“It’s an ambitious plan,” said Mandy Mahoney, the city’s director of sustainability, who heads up the program. “Mayor Reed has set a high bar. The mayor believes sustainability is critical to the growth of the city,” she said.
The goal is to make the city more competitive against cities like Seattle, Chicago and New York, which have recognized leading-edge policies on green building, electric vehicle infrastructure and pedestrian-only zones, and to improve quality of life.
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| Metro Atlanta is still a green area, photo by hoyasmeg |
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