Every year, hundreds of thousands of racing fans pile into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to watch what promoters bill as “The greatest spectacle in racing” – the Indy 500. Cars bring fame to this Indiana city, but planners are moving to reclaim the streets for pedestrians and cyclists. The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is transforming eight miles of downtown streets to include wider sidewalks and two-way bike lanes that are separated from car traffic. Attractive landscaping will also play a central role, with the goal of encouraging more people to use alternative forms of transportation. The year-old Indy GreenPrint program has also begun to revitalize the rest of the city. The program includes plans to replace resource-intensive turf lawn with natural vegetation, create an environmentally preferable purchasing plan, and become more energy efficient. The city has also signed onto the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.
(Photo by Ryan E. Poplin)
Submitted by Angela Herrmann
In the 2006 SustainLane survey of the 50 largest U.S. cities, Indianapolis didn’t rate so well. While Indy ranked 45th in its ability to weather an oil crisis, it fared slightly better in the Local Food and Agriculture rankings at 31st. Not surprising, given Indianapolis’ love-affair with all things automotive. But something has happened in Indianapolis since 2006: a growing awareness of sustainability.more »
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Tina Jesson
Green Fest Indy 2010 will be the largest green event in the state of Indiana with an expected 20-30,000 vistor turn out over 3 days. March 26, 27 and 28th more »
SustainLane Staff
Six of every 10 streams in Indiana contains mercury levels exceeding the state water quality standard, according to a report out by the U.S. Geological Survey. more »
Katie C.
As a former Indianapolis resident, I must say that I agree that Indianapolis has A LOT of work to do. The sprauling suburbs are a major issue and there is no rail whatsoever in... more »
How does being near a coast affect how cities perform? Take a look at how coastal cities compare to inland ones.
My grandfather rode on a camel, my father rode in a car, I ride in a jet, my children will ride in cars, my grandchildren will ride on camels. —Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum; Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates from 1979 to 1990 and Emir (Ruler) of Dubai
US City Rankings, next edition!
