By Jocelyn Bogen
February 11, 2008

The United States Conference of Mayors — Waste Management launched the 2008 City Livability Awards Program January 24 with the mailing of the application and guidelines to mayors of cities of 30,000 or more.

“The City Livability Awards Program highlights mayors who believe in improving the quality of life for their residents in innovative and creative ways. Cities are the economic, cultural and social engines of America, and The Conference of Mayors welcomes this opportunity to showcase successful programs that are making a difference in people’s lives in communities all across the nation,” said Conference of Mayors President Trenton (NJ) Mayor Douglas H. Palmer.

For the past 19, years Waste Management has partnered with the conference to honor mayors and their cities for outstanding programs that contribute to the quality of life of their citizens. David Steiner, Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management, added, “The City Livability Awards are bestowed on cities that exhibit innovative ideas for bettering their communities and we are thrilled partner with The United States Conference of Mayors to recognize the outstanding work of the nation’s mayors.”

Participating cities will submit an initial application of 500 words, due March 7, which briefly describes their program, and indicates when and why it was created, how it has improved the quality of life of the community, and why it is outstanding or innovative.

From these initial applications, about 20 finalist cities in each of two population categories will be selected. These finalist cities will then submit a more detailed application, due April 28. An independent panel of judges will select the winners in May. Award winners will be announced in June at the 76th Annual Conference of Mayors in Miami.

The 20 City Livability Awards are presented in two population categories — ten awards to cities of less than 100,000 people; ten for cities of 100,000 or more.

Every municipality in the United States is eligible to nominate one or more city government programs in any policy area, regardless of whether the municipality has applied for or received a City Livability Award in previous years. All programs initiated by the city government are eligible, including those developed and implemented in cooperation with private sector and/or community group participation.

Conference Vice President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, last year’s recipient of the First-Place City Livability Award for cities over 100,000, said, “The City Livability Award honors the innovative ideas that are emerging from our cities, local solutions to global problems. Elevate Miami is our local response, creating the building blocks so that the people of Miami can compete in the new global economy. It is a further special honor in that it comes from fellow mayors, those of us closest to the people, moving the urban agenda forward, collectively making our country a better place to live. We thank the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Waste Management for recognizing our efforts.”

Former Davenport (IA) Mayor Edwin G. Winborn, who received the First-Place Award in 2007 for cities under 100,000, stated, “On behalf of the citizens of Davenport, Iowa, I’m thrilled to have received a distinction we already know – we are indeed a very livable place to live, work and raise a family…and we are proud to share our secret with the nation! Along with our sister city across the great Mississippi River, Rock Island, Davenport was recognized for RiverVision, a far-reaching and broadly participatory waterfront development plan for both communities. The project will redefine the Quad Cities’ region, attracting more visitors and branding the Quad Cities as having one of the most compelling riverfronts in the nation, even the world. The RiverVision planning process is a unique model for cooperation between two cities and states to achieve both shared regional objectives as well as projects specific to the needs of each city. By pooling the resources and energy of two cities and states for the greater good, the communities of Davenport and Rock Island have created an ambitious model for neighboring communities across the country.”

March 7: Initial Applications Due

March 28: Announcement of Finalist Cities

April 28: Finalists’ Applications Due

June: City Livability Awards Announced in Miami at the 76th Annual Conference of Mayors