Denver ranked 9th for 'most sustainable'
By Staff Writer
Friday, June 2, 2006 - Updated: 10:22 AM MDT
Denver is the ninth "most sustainable" big city, according to a June 1 ranking by SustainLane.com, the nonpartisan online resource for healthy, sustainable living.
Denver's No. 9 ranking was up two spots from No. 11 in 2005, according to the second annual sustainability ranking of 50 large U.S. cities by San Francisco-based SustainLane, according to a news release.
Colorado Springs was ranked No. 26.
"Denver's Sustainable Development Initiative is a major strategy toward fulfilling our citywide goal of making Denver an even better place to live," Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said in the release. "City government is leading by example, focusing on the interconnectedness among the social, economic and environmental impacts of our policies. We're encouraging other sectors to do the same. Through conversation and collaboration with the local business and nonprofit communities, we are planning today for a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow."
The 2006 Sustainable City Ranking measures America's 50 largest cities in order from the most prepared to the least prepared. The ranking gathers data across 15 categories to reveal whether American cities would be able to withstand a sudden crisis -- such as a natural disaster or $100-a-barrel oil prices.
Portland, Ore., is America's most sustainable city, according to the rankings, while Columbus, Ohio, came in last.
Cities must have an ability to maintain healthy air, drinking water, parks and public transit access, combined with a strong, complementary economy, even when faced with sudden, unpredictable events such as skyrocketing energy prices and natural disasters.
A robust sustainable local economy includes green building, downtown and neighborhoods that are easily walkable, farmers' markets, renewable energy and alternative fuels.
"If your city outsources everything from fuel to electricity and food, where are you left during a crisis?" said James Elsen, CEO of SustainLane. "Cities shouldn't rely only on volatile outside resources, but rather need to take the initiative to develop more self-sufficient economies. Doing so will prevent their jobs and quality of life from being left high and dry if hard times arrive."
Sustainability practices are increasing among city leaders nationwide, especially in light of the recent spike in gas prices, the release said.
"More than ever, cities are recognizing the necessity of sustainable approaches and technologies," Elsen said. "It's cities like Portland and Denver with their expansion of public transit systems and ridership, Philadelphia with its strong local food network, Chicago with its commitment to renewable energy and Seattle with its climate change leadership that have produced effective results. These are some of the leaders in this important shift, and other cities are encouraged to follow their successful approaches."
The 2006 SustainLane.com Sustainable City Ranking follows:
1. Portland
2. San Francisco
