Grand Rapids: Committed to a More Sustainable Community
Across the United States, political leaders and residents alike are talking about how they can build a more sustainable community. Even in Grand Rapids, many changes have taken place to ensure that there is a promising future for all residents.
The definition of a sustainable community dictates that these cities have been purposely built to be both healthy and resilient. This applies to the environmental, economic and social issues faced by residents. In addition, these cities don�t work on single issues; instead, sustainable communities choose integrated answers which both address problems today and prevent them in the future. This means the city will become more sustainable with each generation.
Building a sustainable community is not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, Minnesota has become a much more sustainable community in only a few years. Progress can be seen all around the city. Compared to two decades ago, Grand Rapids residents today used far less fuel and create far fewer greenhouse gases which pollute the air. Local waterways are no longer filled with garbage and chemicals. Almost every neighborhood has a public park or greenspace. Across Grand Rapids, cultural and social opportunities bring people of all ages and income levels together.
There are nonprofit-sponsored neighborhood gardens planted in almost every food desert community. People are more active thanks to newly installed bike lanes and walking trails. Schools, businesses and private homes use solar panels and windmills as alternative power sources.
Three factors work together to build a more sustainable community. The environment, the economy and social equality all work together to make life better for all residents. The City of Grand Rapids is addressing these factors through sustainable, permanent solutions in order to make the community a better place to live for all people.
Grand Rapids has become a lot more environmentally green over the last few years. Making sure that residents have access to the cleanest water and air possible is vitally important for both today and the for the future. This has been done by reducing the reliance on cars and traditional fuels. There have also been campaigns to clean up local waterways, and regulations are being enforced to limit industry’s impact on the environment.
The city has also strived to encourage and sustain a thriving economy through creating jobs. Good jobs with better wages raise the standard of living and offer residents better lives. When people have more money to spend, they invest more in the local community and in local businesses, further bolstering the city’s economy.
Addressing the social needs of the most at-need communities is the last factor on this list. Grand Rapids is working to ensure all residents have equal access to health care, quality educational experiences and reliable transportation. No one is overlooked in this process, because residents from all walks of life are encouraged to play a role in the process.
In order to build a truly sustainable community, all three of these factors must be equally strong. If even one of them is weaker than the others, then the entire community can become less sustainable. To ensure Grand Rapids is a strong city both today and in the future, economic, environmental and social concerns must all three remain foremost in the eyes of local leaders.
Much work has been done recently to make the City of Grand Rapids a more sustainable community. The city’s leaders and residents are dedicated to continue striving toward better environmental health, economic stability and social equality. Because residents are involved, this goal is continuing regardless of changes in the political climates.
To ensure the city continues to make progress toward its sustainability goals, Grand Rapids is using a list of 26 indicators to judge their progress. These indicators bolster confidence because they show that progress has been made, but they also show there is still much work ahead. By keeping an eye on this list of indicators, city leaders and residents alike and ensure all people in Grand Rapids can live healthy lives both today and in the future.
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