RECOMMENDATION
5.
Convene multi-disciplinary working groups to develop new public administration models to better respond to urban ecosystem issues at the federal, state and local levels.
RATIONALE Because urban ecosystems issues surrounding and emanating from environmental considerations typically impact a broad range of departments, practitioners and decision makers, getting projects from the approval to the execution stages can often be a cumbersome process. Hence, in several cities and states, new coalitions – with representation by a wide cross-section of public, private and non-profit interests in green infrastructure and ecosystem management – have been established under visionary administrations. By integrating public works, environmental protection, parks and recreation, energy and other relevant municipal input, these coalitions often serve as liaisons among or coordinators of efforts to ensure that greening policies (e.g., regulations, incentives, stewardship) are being effectively and efficiently implemented across the board. Many of these initiatives are already effective at aligning agendas, integrating protocols and facilitating general communication, public outreach and civic engagement related to urban ecosystem issues in communities of all sizes – serving as models for government efforts in this area at all levels of the process. EXAMPLE The California Strategic Growth Council is a multi-disciplinary working group tasked with coordinating the activities of member state agencies to: • Improve air and water quality • Protect natural resources and agricultural lands • Increase the availability of affordable housing • Promote public health • Improve transportation2
2
Strategic Growth Council Objectives. The California Strategic Growth Council. http://sgc.ca.gov/
Philadelphia, PA. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
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