By Brett Rosenberg
July 12, 2004

The United States Conference of Mayors Sustainable Development Task Force, led by Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, met on June 25 during the Conference's 72nd Annual Meeting. Clavelle expressed his intention of using this meeting to build upon promoting sustainability ideals, promoting active living, and using a sustainable development survey to assess where the nation's cities are in adopting sustainable practices.

Marla Hollander, of Active Living Leadership, highlighted trends among American cities that seem to encourage and perpetuate obesity. Obesity, according to Hollander, is spreading faster than any infectious disease in the US. Citing annual health care costs of well over $100 billion, Hollander discussed the need for community designs that vigorously encourage physical activity through providing ample sidewalks, parks and open space. Codes, zoning and community programs are also important aspects of creating healthy communities. Transportation policies, for instance, can either promote healthier lifestyles or discourage them through denying pedestrians access to local amenities. As an example, Hollander noted that only ten percent of American kids walk to school.

Hollander linked the ways that obesity and sustainable development were related to one another. Hollander explained that by building demand for change by raising awareness about the impacts of built environments — such as neighborhoods with sidewalks — in physical activity and health, as well as promoting cross'sector collaboration among professionals committed to creating active, healthy environments all lead to sustainable cities.

The mayors participated in open discussion on sustainable development activities in their cities. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels initiated the discussion by explaining how his city's sustainable development office and its activities are very important to its citizens. Through their participation, along with numerous other stakeholders, Seattle has a public means of addressing growth management, promoting mixed-use urban centers, converting former railroad beds to pedestrian trails and walkways, and managing the city government in ways that improve and promote energy efficiency.

San Bernardino Mayor Judith Valles described her initial difficulty in understanding sustainable development and eventual realization that several of her city's practices followed many sustainable development's ideals. Valles described the questions she would ask of herself and the city council with regard to new developments in the community: will they pollute the air; are they clean industries; will they provide jobs in the long-term; will housing and schools support and sustain growth; and will they retain green space? Furthermore, Valles stressed the importance for mayors to think beyond their tenure so that their communities can thrive well into the future.

Racine (WI) Mayor Gary Becker expressed the importance of grass'roots efforts in institutionalizing sustainable development activities in a city. Clavelle, Fremont (CA) Mayor Gus Morrison, Redmond (WA) Mayor Rosemarie Ives and Eugene (OR) Mayor James Torrey each described additional activities their communities are taking to enhance the quality of life of their citizens through comprehensive and cohesive actions that all agreed, "start with the mayor."

The mayors also discussed a resolution promoting sustainable communities. It strongly encourages mayors and their cities to adopt sustainable development practices in their communities; encourages the federal and state governments to establish policy, programs, and resources that promote the concepts and principles of sustainable communities; and encourages businesses through regulatory incentives or marketing assistance to become stewards for the environment and to conduct their activities with the principles of sustainable development in mind.