SustainLane 2006 US City Sustainability Ranking

Charlotte: New Alternatives in the Pipeline

Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. This growth includes large subdivisions emerging on the edges of town. At the same time, the state, county, and city government, along with many residents, have recognized the importance of limiting sprawl by using "smart growth." The ideas behind smart growth are to increase public transportation, improve air quality, promote renewable energy, and encourage infill in the core of the city.

As in so many other US cities, downtown Charlotte declined as the suburbs grew. That's changing as public and private funding starts to reach older neighborhoods. From warehouse districts like South End, which was converted into residential lofts, restaurants, and shops, to historic preservation projects like Myers Park (the first suburb served by streetcars), the center of the city is being transformed. It's now home to a vibrant mix of young professionals, artists, empty nesters, and the well-to-do. This trend coincides with an effort to increase public transportation across the metro region in Mecklenburg County.

Charlotte has only just begun to address sprawl and its byproducts. Many of the city's smart growth projects are either in planning phases or mere infancy, and are focusing on getting the many communities throughout the metro region to agree on shared priorities. The Environmental Leadership Policy team has been assembled to address energy conservation, recycling, low-emission vehicles, land preservation, and environmentally sensitive design.

The projects and initiatives beginning to emerge in public transit and development are signs that Charlotte is poised to make itself a more sustainable city. By broadening such efforts to include renewable energy and local food supply, Charlotte can make strides toward that goal.