My friend, Simone Lightfoot heads up regional urban initiatives for the National Wildlife Federation. She and I recently shared ideas relative to the connection between urban revitalization in the Midwest and environmental sustainability. Since our discussion, I have engaged in other serendipitous discussions about the changing role of cities in the 21st century.
My work with Visibility Marketing revolves around energy management, smart water management, and intelligent transportation. We have been increasingly delivering services within the context of organizational change, business transformation and public engagement. Well this is what I thought. Although our clients are public interest institutions, our solutions are an integral part of smart urban planning and the human experience.
A friend that teaches Urban Planning in Texas reminds me that environmental sustainability and urban revitalization in distressed cities are inextricably linked. My sister, Angela is a psychologist, and she connects personal environmental stewardship to the human psyche and behavior modification. Simone asserted that policy makers, lobbyists, and politicians frame the debate and influence funding to the landscape that impacts my work.
This prompted me to think of my recent business trip to Washington, DC. Evidence of a multitude of new energy efficient buildings, regional water conservation initiatives, and one of the most efficient subway rail systems in the United States are indicators that the type of work that we do is socially redemptive. The preponderance of construction cranes and citywide foot traffic are evidence that strategic environmental sustainability initiatives are essential to sustainable economic development.
The purpose of the trip was to collaborate with electric utility sector colleagues from around the world. The trip was successful, but my other experiences helped to complete the compelling narrative. My hotel was located in Chinatown, which has grown immensely over the last 15 years. It was a treat to “people watch” as I walked downtown on H Street. The anticipated 30,000 members of the African-American sorority, Delta Sigma Theta had already begun descending on the city. Gay and lesbian couples held hands, blending in with the crowd. Students, tourists, commuters, and people of all ethnic and racial background comprised the harmonious landscape.
I was a college student in Washington, DC over 30 years ago. The city has really evolved.
As I walked through downtown during my final night, it occurred to me that my work is more valuable than I realized. The triple bottom line – social responsibility, financial profits, and environmental stewardship is the real deal! My status as a husband, father, African-American man, and entrepreneur really allows this to resonate with me.
Sustainable cities facilitate the human ecosystem.