Grand Rapids Shows How to be a Sustainable City

By Norman Christopher

Location: Southwest Michigan
Population: 197,800

In Grand Rapids, the three E's (equity, ecology, and economy) and the three P's (people, planet, and profits) are an integral part of its sustainability plan.

What is sustainable development, and how has it evolved in Grand Rapids?

The historical roots of sustainability go back seven generations to the Iroquois Confederacy, who stated that “we do not inherit the earth from our fathers; we borrow it from our children.” Sustainability has also been defined as “meeting the needs of today without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (United Nations Brundtland Commission, 1987). In his 1998 book, Cannibals with Forks, John Elkington added a “triple bottom line” (TBL) perspective of sustainability as “economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social justice.” Hence, the three E’s (equity, ecology, and economy) and the three P’s (people, planet, and profits) became an integral part of the sustainability lens. In essence, by using the triple bottom lens of sustainable development and evaluating our social, environmental, and economic impacts, we are able to make better decisions for the future.

Why has so much progress in sustainable development taken place in such a short period of time? Grand Rapids has good roots in sustainability. The furniture industry, with leaders such as Haworth, Herman Miller, and Steelcase, has been environmentally conscious and exhibited leadership in corporate environmental stewardship dating back to the 1970s. West Michigan is also home to many family-owned businesses whose leaders are philanthropists willing to give back to the community and help reinvent Grand Rapids. West Michigan also has great tenacity, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong work ethic. Moreover, other organizations have acknowledged that our region is known for its public-private partnerships and ability to build trustful working relationships.

The city of Grand Rapids adopted the triple bottom line guiding principles of sustainable development in 2005, and has been on a sustainability journey ever since. For the greater Grand Rapids community, this journey has included awareness, understanding, application, progress, and change regarding the implementation of sustainable development best practices.

Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership

Grand Rapids' water department building was the first LEED-certified municipal building in Michigan.

In 2005, the city of Grand Rapids, along with Aquinas College, Grand Rapids Community College, the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Grand Valley State University, formed the greater Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP) (www.grpartners.org). The CSP is a collaboration and network of community stakeholders from all sectors that embrace and support sustainable development guiding principles in their planning, operations, and reporting on a best efforts basis, and are striving to make a positive impact in our community. The purpose of the CSP is to transform the Grand Rapids area through the development of sustainable neighborhoods and communities.

Today, the Grand Rapids CSP has over 190 community stakeholder partner organizations who are working together in a number of sustainable development areas. Some of the Triple Bottom Line applications of sustainable development include: green and LEED building design and construction; brownfield redevelopment; energy efficiency; renewable energy; literacy; health and wellness; water quality and conservation; waste minimization; land use; alternative fuels; and urban transit.

City Initiatives

Grand Rapids has achieved its leadership within the CSP by completing a sustainability plan and triple bottom line community indicator report. The newly adopted Sustainability Plan version 2.0 contains environmental, economic, and social Triple Bottom Line sustainability outcomes and specific targets and goals for all city departments. These targets have performance measurements that are both quantified and qualified.

Examples of sustainability plan indicators include:
ECONOMIC
1. A strong economy
2. Diverse supplier base
3. Employment and workforce training
4. Financial management/sustainability
5. Enhanced customer service (internal and external)
6. Vital business districts

ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Energy and climate protection
2. Environmental quality and natural systems
3. Land use and development

SOCIAL
1. Great neighborhoods
2. Strong education, arts and community
3. Civic engagement
4. Healthy lifestyles and healthy environments
5. Public safety

The city budget, departmental plans, and employee personal performance plans are all tied to the Sustainability 2.0 Plan. The city has also completed a Green Grand Rapids plan that focuses on parks, recreation, and landscape options. In June of 2009, the city opted to re-direct its sustainability efforts to a new Office of Energy and Sustainability (sustainablegr.com) to focus more on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation projects. The office is now the focal point for future application and work in community sustainability.

LEED Buildings

Grand Rapids ranks fourth in the nation in the number of certified and registered LEED projects and has more LEED buildings per capita than any community in the country. Tapping into this movement, the city has mandated that all new municipal construction and major renovation meet LEED Certified standards. The city’s water department building was the first LEED-certified municipal building in Michigan.

Renewable Energy

Grand Rapids' transportation system, the Rapids, is a recognized leader in the sustainable transportation. The Rapids Central Station was the first LEED-certified transit facility in the country.

In 2005, Mayor George Heartwell pledged that more than 20 percent of the city’s power would come from renewable sources by 2008. However, having hit that target before 2008, the city is now committed to the target of 100 percent renewable by 2020. The municipal government has reduced energy consumption by more than 10 percent through the implementation of energy efficiency projects and conservation. The city is seeking innovative ways to meet its 100 percent renewable energy target and has recently adopted an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy with the completion of a community-wide and municipal Green House Gas Emission inventory. Grand Rapids was inducted into the Green Power Partnership program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Future Cities

The real glue to successful sustainable development is in its embedded values—integrity of transparency, service, ethical behavior, lifelong learning, and mutual accountability.

As Grand Rapids looks to the future, many systemic challenges still lie ahead including fiscal sustainability and neighborhood revitalization. The city is balancing the general fund budget, and a new sustainable neighborhood development initiative known as Seeds of Promise has been undertaken. Using sustainable development best practices in the future will require courage, leadership and vision.

Much success lies ahead for those who are willing to undertake the sustainability journey.

For more information on Grand Rapids sustainability efforts, contact Haris Alibašić, Office of Energy and Sustainability Director at halibasi@grcity.us or visit the Office of Energy and Sustainability on the city's website: grcity.us or sustainablegr.com.

The following documents can be viewed on the city’s website: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (2009); Fiscal Year 2011-2015 Sustainability Plan (2010); State of the City Address (2005); Renewable Energy; Press Release: Grand Rapids Named Most Sustainable Mid-Size Community in the U.S. (2010).

Grand Rapids Named Most Sustainable Community

The city of Grand Rapids was presented the Siemens Sustainable Community Award for mid-size communities by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and Siemens Corporation on May 13, 2010. The winning communities were praised for improvements to the quality of life for residents by achieving vital economic, environmental, and social goals. Mayor Heartwell accepted the award at the ceremony in Houston, Texas on May 13, and stated that this award is “a strong affirmation of the collaborative work that we have been doing in Grand Rapids. Once again Grand Rapids has been brought to the forefront as a leader in sustainability.”

City of Grand Rapids’ Press Release, May 14, 2010.
www.uschamber.com/bclc/sustainablecommunity_grandrapids.htm

Norman Christopher is the executive director of the Sustainable Community Development Initiative at Grand Valley State University. You may contact him at 616-331-7461 or
chrisfn@gvsu.edu.