Chicago now 5th in 'sustainable' city rankings
By Gary Wisby
Environment Reporter
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Chicago is the fifth most "sustainable" city in the nation, finishing behind three West Coast cities -- Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Seattle in that order -- and Philadelphia.
That's according to a ranking of the 50 largest U.S. cities released Wednesday by Sustain Lane.com, which rated Chicago No. 8 last year. The city was one behind New York then, but jumped two places ahead because New York stayed seventh.
A sustainable city minimizes its long-term impact on the environment while maximizing the quality of life for its residents, said Warren Karlenzig, who directed the ranking.
Top 'knowledge' poor air
Chicago was rated first among the 50 cities in one of the 15 categories considered: "knowledge base," for its sustainability plan and partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, universities and research institutes such as Argonne National Laboratory.
The city was No. 2 in regional public transportation, based on miles per capita.
It earned fifth place in the energy category. Karlenzig cited Chicago's "very ambitious" intention to meet 20 percent of its power needs with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. The city has achieved 2.5 percent so far. Nonetheless, "Chicago is a leader in having tangible goals," Karlenzig said.
Its only low ranking, 45th, was for air quality.
Columbus dead last
Chicago's environment commissioner, Sadhu Johnston, said that while it's nice to be recognized, "Naturally, we really think we should be No. 1." He said some accomplishments, including Chicago's 2.5 million square feet of green roofs, were omitted.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, Milwaukee was No. 16, Cleveland No. 28 and Detroit No. 43. Columbus, Ohio, finished last.
San Francisco got the top spot last year. It fell to No. 2 because of two new categories, housing affordability and, owing to Hurricane Katrina, natural disaster risk.
"People wondered how San Francisco, sited on an earthquake fault with some of the most unaffordable housing in the nation, could be No. 1," Karlenzig said.
gwisby@suntimes.com
