The Methods and Art of Innovative Bureaucracy John Thomas EPA Office of Sustainable Communities

Understanding the Landscape of Change Defined by Statutes Requires an Act of Congress Defined by Rules / Guidance Requires a formal process to change Defined by Practices Requires culture change and new modes of operating Ron Simms, Former HUD Deputy Secretary

BUREAUCRATS The Basic Rules 4 habits related to technical assistance Don’t take no for an answer (at least initially) Find creative solutions Build coalitions Work with the willing BUREAUCRATS

Ways Federal Programs Help Communities Grants Planning, Implementation Revolving Loans, Financial Assistance Technical Assistance Direct Through intermediaries Contractor supported assistance

Defining Technical Assistance Compliance Assistance Comprehensive Assistance Planning Design Policy Evaluation Stakeholder Engagement Training

EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities What is unique about our approach? We provide communities with access critical expertise through cost effective programs with minimal application barriers We use these engagements to develop tools that can, in turn, be used by others Our programs and tools have attracted significant investment from other agencies How we do our work: Education and outreach Developing tools and providing technical assistance Working to modernize codes, standards and rules that guide development and infrastructure design Federal partnerships Supporting the work of other EPA programs

Tools and Technical Assistance Technical Assistance to state and local governments Multiple approaches: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Cutting edge issues Governors Institute on Community Design State policy change Greening Americas Capitals High visibility demonstration projects Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Tools to address common barriers Joint Technical Assistance with other agencies (FEMA, USDA, ARC, SC2, GSA) Leveraging and changing practices Helping the Willing What we want to do, if possible, is to begin to tip the scale so sustainable community development becomes commonplace in this country, not the exception. We think one way of doing that is to reach more communities that are trying to do this style of development but often need technical assistance to get started. To that end, we are devoting about half of our FY11 budget to various kinds of TA. Cutting edge issues – SGIA (example, California, Louisville, Montgomery County) State policy change – GICD (NJ may be next) High visibility demonstration projects – Greening America’s Capitals Tools to address common barriers – what we are calling a “Building Blocks” TA program that might help communities with code audits, parking audits, visioning exercises, walking audits, etc. With our TA, we are trying to reach communities at their level and meet their needs. Communities are increasingly putting green building or other sustainability requirements in their local ordinances, codes, etc.

Technical Assistance Approach Understand context Refine the problem statement Customize agenda and materials Assemble relevant case studies Coach community on stakeholder participation Assess Conduct community tour Affirm vision Assess assets, challenges Brainstorm what needs to happen to realize the vision Set specific goals/objectives Establish manageable short term and long term action steps to meet objectives Convene Write action plan Follow up calls Mobilize resources Align funding Implement

Greening America’s Communities – Little Rock, AR

Sustainable Resilience – Iowa City, IA

Riverfront Crossings – Iowa City

Riverfront Crossings – Iowa City