SustainLane 2006 US City Sustainability Ranking

San Jose: High Tech Hub Makes Strides

With 6,600 technology companies employing more than 250,000 highly skilled and highly educated workers, it's not surprising that residents of San Jose pull down the highest median income of any US city with more than 300,000 people. Less well known is that the city has had the lowest crime rate for three years running, and recycles more waste-a whopping 62 percent-than any of the cities we ranked outside of California.

There are downsides to this creative class economy, such as the gain and loss of nearly 200,000 jobs during the dot-com boom and bust and a housing market in which homes cost more than triple the national average. San Jose's leaders have responded to these and other concerns with strategic economic planning in order to ensure San Jose's ongoing preeminence in the technology industry.

San Jose is among the cities best situated to promote-and reap the benefits of-a transition to a greener economy. Its educated, tech-savvy population and proximity to venture capital make it a no-brainer for clean tech start-ups. However, for the city to become a true leader in sustainability requires more than the ability to grow an industry-it requires sustainable behavior such as creating more affordable housing options for local residents, ensuring access to local food, and building in ways that reduce sprawl and traffic congestion.

At #23 overall, San Jose is beginning to address sustainability issues through its Environmental Services Department and its General Plan. Efforts to date include incorporating LEED building standards, promoting higher density and mixed-use neighborhood development, and revitalizing downtown. These represent a promising start.