SustainLane 2006 US City Sustainability Ranking
Omaha: Encouraging Signs in the Heartland
Omaha lies almost smack dab in the center of the country, surrounded by prairie. The birthplace of TV dinners, Gerald Ford, and Malcolm X features a local industry based on banking and insurance, food processing, construction, and telecommunications.
On the weekends, locals gather in Old Market, the arts and entertainment district, and on hot summer evenings you'll find folks strolling along the 31-acre Heartland of America Park, which fronts the Missouri River. The city is typically Midwestern: sedate, welcoming, and predominantly suburban.
Omaha has some programs that promise to accelerate its efforts to become more sustainable. Omaha's urban revitalization, commitment to park space, and recent expansion of renewable energy reveal its focus on creating a healthier environment for its citizens-right in line with its pragmatic Midwestern values.
The city has reportedly been rewriting building guidelines to incorporate the recommendations of Omaha by Design, another positive sign for residents. Continuing to support renewable energy and creating more public transit options-perhaps with light rail-could help catapult the city upward in future rankings.
