The SustainLane 2006 US City Rankings

Philadelphia: City on the Move

Look beyond Philadelphia's patchwork of abandoned manufacturing sites, and you'll find a city that's emerging as a solid model of how cities can reduce environmental impact while maintaining vibrant local neighborhoods and culture.

The "Brooklyn effect" seems to be happening in Philadelphia. From warehouses to old industrial sites, artists and young families are moving back into central Philadelphia neighborhoods. The challenge with modern urban renewal is how to enrich the center city without displacing longtime residents, many who work in service industries. Cities must remain affordable for all in order to be truly sustainable.

Philadelphia ranks strong in many categories, including transportation (tied for #2 in overall mobility), local food and agriculture (#3), and energy and climate change policy (#5).

Philadelphia's sustainability planning is in its early stages, but it's clearly on the right path. Citizen groups, state and local government agencies, and academic and scientific institutions are sponsoring public sustainability forums throughout 2006 to get citizens' ideas about how to move forward. The Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum hosts a blog focused on the same efforts. One big opportunity that Philadelphia has missed so far is renewable energy. It may find inspiration by looking to Chicago, Boston., and many West Coast cities.

Philadelphia: City on the Move