SustainLane 2006 US City Sustainability Ranking

San Antonio: Building on a Broad Range of Strengths

San Antonio is known as Military City due to its four military installations and the many military retirees who stay in town. Nestled in rolling hills, it features warm winters and a lush green walkway called the River Walk (or Paseo Del Rio) in the heart of downtown. As the oldest city in Texas, it also offers historic attractions, including four Spanish Missions and The Alamo. Some 20 million visitors take in the sights annually-coming as tourists, for conventions, or on military assignment. The Air Force conducts basic training in San Antonio, and both the Army and Air Force medical schools are here; the Army's is the largest healthcare training facility in the world.

San Antonio's population has grown significantly over the last two decades, which could present challenges down the road. While the city's highway management system has limited congestion, offering public transportation options that get people out of their cars would help it support its growing population-a strong argument in favor of developing light rail.

The city's sustainability might benefit as well from the military. Starting in 2006, all Army installations must comply with environmental benchmarks. The Army already has its own green building certification standard, based on LEED, called Sustainable Project Rating Tool (SPiRiT). By 2009, the Army aims to be entirely compliant with ISO 14000, a strict international standard for implementing environmental management systems. The other military branches are expected to follow suit. Taking a cue from its military installations, the city has an opportunity to come up with a more focused sustainability plan that can move it into a leadership position.