Sustainable Seattle Creating Healthy Neighborhoods: Building Blocks for Vibrant Cities and Beyond Presenters: Deborah Kuznitz, Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods Initiative (SUNI) Program Manager Nubia Lopez, Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods Initiative (SUNI) Program Associate

Sustainable Seattle Objectives  Present strategies from a sustainability perspective.  Importance and benefits of an asset-based approach to community building.  Ways to reach underrepresented community stakeholders through the use of technology and community relevant (and community collected) data.  To gain a better understanding of the importance of neighborhood-scale sustainability measures and the connection to global (sustainability) goals.

Sustainable Seattle  What I appreciate about my neighborhood/community is.....  What I think could use improvement in my neighborhood/community is …… Ice Breaker

Sustainable Seattle Advances an integrated vision of sustainability through:  Measuring Progress  Building Diverse Coalitions  Undertaking Key Initiatives Vision Indicators Action

Sustainable Seattle Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods Initiative Brings People Together Researching Conditions and Collecting Data Supporting Action and Change

Sustainable Seattle Participating Neighborhoods East Ballard Chinatown- International District Greenwood & Phinney Ridge WE N S

Sustainable Seattle Street-Level Surveys: ComNET SM A comprehensive program using specially programmed handheld computers to track street-level deficits (problems) & assets (strengths)A comprehensive program using specially programmed handheld computers to track street-level deficits (problems) & assets (strengths) Conditions found are linked to either the affiliated- responsible City agency or community organizationConditions found are linked to either the affiliated- responsible City agency or community organization Reports and pictures are produced easilyReports and pictures are produced easily Community representatives can establish a baseline and track how conditions change over timeCommunity representatives can establish a baseline and track how conditions change over time

Sustainable Seattle Citizens Observe conditions Track conditions using indicators Communicate priorities & findings Citizens & government act to address concerns Identify priorities Positively impact Neighborhoods Street-Level Surveys

Sustainable Seattle East Ballard: Visioning Joined SUNI partnership in 2 nd Year Unique: No commercial district, subset of larger neighborhood, challenging mixed use/transportation challenges Objective: To inventory/document attributes and deficits

Sustainable Seattle East Ballard’s 14 th Avenue Visioning Project Community Goal: To collaborate with community and businesses, to create a vision for 14 th Avenue. Outcomes: Create more pedestrian and bicycle friendly atmosphere, more open space, sustainable water filtration for runoff to canal, slow down traffic, preserve industry. Partnership highlighted problems (sidewalk problems, litter, illegal dumping, overnight parking) and potential attributes.

Sustainable Seattle Planning: Chinatown-International District Partnership with the International District Housing Alliance Population: 2,702 50% or more API 50% live below poverty line Urban Center, located between two federal highways, next to two large sports stadiums, elderly population

Sustainable Seattle Community Perspectives Project & EPA CARE I Goals: Collect built environment assets and deficits and toxic related data Accomplishments: Data collection activities (years ); Trend analysis, helped community establish priorities and get attention from City

Sustainable Seattle Action: Greenwood & Phinney Ridge Two Neighborhoods- Residential Urban Center Population 2,308 Median Income: $46, % non-white; 7.4% Hispanic/Latino

Sustainable Seattle Applying Indicators to Action: Free the Trees/Save our Roots Indicator: # of trees overgrowing tree pits; Used to establish priority, attention from city, grant proposal. Improvement Strategy: Fix tree pits and damaged sidewalks along Greenwood- Phinney Ridge Business District Sustainability Improvement Outcome: Over 80 Trees Saved

Sustainable Seattle Successes and Challenges Successes: Partnering with well connected groups (e.g. language capability, cultural knowledge, neighborhoods history, and committed staff)Partnering with well connected groups (e.g. language capability, cultural knowledge, neighborhoods history, and committed staff) Building strong relationships with key city staffBuilding strong relationships with key city staff Modifying data/survey tools to fit needs of communitiesModifying data/survey tools to fit needs of communities Flexibility: Including new techniques for community building (e.g. Asset-based approach to community- buildingFlexibility: Including new techniques for community building (e.g. Asset-based approach to community- building)Challenges: Retaining commitment of volunteers & over long termRetaining commitment of volunteers & over long term Different outcomes & expectations between stakeholdersDifferent outcomes & expectations between stakeholders Language & cultural differences between stakeholdersLanguage & cultural differences between stakeholders Complicated city processesComplicated city processes Reaching out to underrepresented groups with limited Internet accessReaching out to underrepresented groups with limited Internet access

Sustainable Seattle Activity  Purpose: Self-organize in small groups to discuss topics of interest to you.  How It Works  The Output: Improvement Strategies and Supporting Indicators

Sustainable Seattle Framing Questions for Activity/Strategy Development  What one thing would make (your community) more livable/improve the quality of life/sustainable?  How can you make that happen?  What indicators will support one strategy?

Sustainable Seattle Local Actions, Global Sustainability " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead Visioning Planning Actions

Sustainable Seattle Questions?

Thank you for coming! Contact Information: Deborah Kuznitz (206) , Nubia Lopez (206) , Resources Information: 14 th Avenue Visioning Project: International District Housing Alliance: The Fund for the City of New York/Center for Municipal Government Performance: