What's an Eco District?
EcoDistricts were first thought of in 2009 by The Portland Sustainability Institute (PoSI). In an initiative which would assist cities by removing some implementation barriers on creating Portland neighborhood with sustainable living.
South Waterfront put strategies in place that required a comprehensive approach that includes active community participation, assessment, new forms of capital, and public policy support to make an EcoDistrict happen.
"To test the EcoDistricts approach, PoSI partnered with the City of Portland to launch five Portland pilot districts as sustainability innovation zones where the latest in community organizing, business practices, technology, and supportive public policy comes together to drive ambitious sustainability outcomes."
Over a three-year period, district stakeholders have agreed to work with their Portland neighbors and South Waterfront communities to set rigorous goals, develop a road-map and implement projects. In return, PoSI and its public partners are providing technical and financial resources to support their work.
What Has South Waterfront Done?
South Waterfront was identified as an EcoDistrict pilot early in EcoDistrict Development. South Waterfrontis pioneering many sustainable projects in the areas of infrastructure, buildings, and behavior projects including:
- The Portland Aerial Tram
- Extension of MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar
- The creation of a storm water and green streets master plan
- Restoration of a one-mile stretch of the Willamette River as a linear park that is certified Salmon Safe
- And all buildings required to achieve a LEED “Silver” rating.
The Portland EcoSystem Summit will be held this year Oct 26 - 28, 2011
Presented by GE and The City of Portland, the Ecosystem Summitis dedicated to:
- Deepen the City of Portland's understanding of Portland Eco Districts and compare and contrast to similar district-scale sustainability projects around the globe
- Connect with local Portland companies, Portland professionals and local Portland policymakers who are driving urban innovation
- Learn about district-scale sustainability best practices in finance, governance and policy
- Explore topics like district energy and water utilities, net-zero buildings, smart grid, networked transportation, urban ecosystem services, zero waste and human behavior
Map of South Waterfront
The South Waterfront is a high-rise district under construction on former brownfield industrial land in the South Portland neighborhood south of downtown Portland, Oregon, U.S. It is one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the United States. It is connected to downtown Portland by an extension of the Portland Streetcar, and to the Oregon Health and Sciences University campus atop Marquam Hill by the Portland Aerial Tram, as well as roads to Interstate 5 and Oregon Route 43. -- Wikipedia
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