SustainLane 2006 US City Sustainability Ranking

San Diego: An Emerging Leader

What's not to like? Warm days cooled by ocean breezes, easy access to beaches and parks, and a revitalized downtown make for good living. Behind this idyllic setting, San Diego does have opportunities to become more sustainable-by creating markets for local food, improving its tap water quality, enhancing public transit, and addressing its high cost of living. Fortunately, San Diego shows evidence of a growing awareness of green building, renewable energy sources, and strategies to reduce sprawl.

Economically, San Diego is thriving, with low unemployment, economic innovation, and a revitalized urban core. In many ways, both residents and city government are putting their money where their mouth is. Residents benefit from economic growth that has incorporated green building and businesses that cater to fitness. San Diego is definitely a leader in the emerging economic realm of sustainability.

There remain some significant opportunities, however. Despite its coastal location, favorable climate, and abundant parks, San Diego is not doing as well in terms of overall quality of life. It has poor water quality and needs improved access to local food. And if the city wants to remain economically competitive as it redevelops its city center, it needs to invest in public transportation so that using it becomes an everyday experience for more residents.