Top 10 U.S. cities of the future
Cities that are well-positioned for the future are making investments that will create healthier places to live and smarter environments for businesses. That's the basic premise of the Natural Resources Defense Council's Smarter Cities project, which ranks small, medium, and large cities every year based on a number of criteria from air quality to green space to standard of living.
Cities are often considered environmental problems, yet those on the NRDC's list are taking the lead in creating efficient, livable, and cleaner urban environments. And let's not forget that thriving cities can support more jobs with living wages.
The American cities that top the NRDC's list are investing in clean air and drinking water, public transportation, bike paths, city parks, athletic fields, energy-efficient buildings, affordable housing, alternative energy sources, and much more.
Below are the 10 large cities in the U.S. that top the list. Don't see your hometown? Check out the NRDC's city rankings and its list of up and comers.
Rent-a-Ruminant. (Photo: King County, WA)
1. Seattle, WA
Seattle has launched creative campaigns to help tackle climate change. It distributed thousands of home energy efficiency kits to residents, provided incentives for Seattleites to drive less, and got more than 100 local businesses to pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Seattle City Light boasts an innovative way to clear blackberry brambles around substations -- it uses goats instead of pesticides.
Commercial composting. (Photo: City of San Francisco)
The city is a leader when it comes to local food, transportation, recycling, and more. San Francisco's city hall houses an organic garden and edible urban gardens are sprinkled throughout the city. Walking and public transportation are popular in this densely populated metropolis. About 70% of waste is diverted from the landfill (more than anywhere else in the country) thanks to San Francisco's progressive recycling and composting programs.
Street "bike boxes." (Photo: Portland Bureau of Transportation)
3. Portland, OR
Portland earns high marks for green space, green building, and air quality. "Bike boxes" at some intersections (designed to help prevent accidents) and free plug-in parking spots are just two examples of smart alternative transportation initiatives. Portland hosts its annual Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow to encourage the planet-friendly efforts of local businesses.
Downtown Housing Initiative. (Photo: City of Oakland)
4. Oakland, CA
The city is aggressively working to bring green industry and training programs to Oakland in the hopes of improving the economy and the environment. Affordable and low-income housing is also a priority. The number of farmer's markets in the city doubled between 2005 and 2007 making it easier to find healthy, local food.
Solar products testing facility. (Photo: City of San Jose)
5. San Jose, CA
The capital of Silicon Valley has an ambitious Clean Tech strategy aiming to lure progressive businesses to the city. Tesla Motors recently relocated its headquarters to San Jose, which is already home to many large solar manufactures. Efforts are paying off. The number of jobs in the green sector has doubled since October 2007. Other benefits: San Jose tops the standard of living ranking, has a low unemployment rate, and residents have low utility bills because of the moderate climate and the city's conservation awareness efforts.
Free home improvement program. (Photo: Austin Energy)
6. Austin, TX
Saving energy through home insulation, sealing, and other tactics is a top priority for city-owned Austin Energy. Customers with low to moderate incomes can get free installation on energy-conserving upgrades. If Austin's plan to adopt a smart grid materializes, residents who install solar panels will be able to sell excess energy back to Austin Energy. Tourists flock to the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge to see the largest urban bat colony in North America, bringing millions of dollars annually to Austin.
Light rail. (Photo: Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau)
About 84 percent of residents live within walking distance to public transportation, and Sacramento is investing in pedestrian and bicycle projects. Last year, California voted to build a high-speed rail system connecting Sacramento and other major cities in the state. The system is expected to create jobs and will cost passengers less money than flying or driving. The city offers free shade trees to residents who want to create passive cooling in their homes and save money on their energy bills.
Hub on Wheels Festival. (Photo: City of Boston)
8. Boston, MA
Wind is now one of Boston's top three fuel sources thanks to the city's efforts to make it a viable alternative to coal and other nonrenewable energy sources. Boston boasts one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the country and the mayor is ramping up the city's bicycling system. Recent additions include: new bike lanes, 250 bike racks installed throughout the city, online biking maps, and a "bike coordinator."
Free summer concert in a city park. (Photo: Wikipedia Community)
9. Denver, CO
Water conservation is a major priority in Colorado. Denver's water utility offers many water saving incentives from rebates and tax credits to conservation pricing. As a result, Denver has made a tremendous amount of progress toward reaching its goal of reducing municipal water consumption by 22 percent by 2016. Green space is abundant. Denver has 200 city parks, 14,000 acres of mountain parkland, and 850 miles of off-road bike trails. There are also major efforts to beef up alternative energy and cut down on waste.
City hall's green roof. (Photo: Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureaus)
10. Chicago, IL
It's not surprising that the Windy City is a leader in green architecture. After all, it is home to the world's first skyscraper. Today, Chicago houses more Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and green roofs than any other U.S. city. The number of green roofs is expected to grow exponentially to 6,000 in 2020, from about 300 today. That's not only great news for contractors who specialize in these environment-friendly roofs, but it's also good for the city's air quality and energy costs.
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