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Columbus is 50th out of the 50 largest cities in the US
in essential quality-of-life and economic factors that
affect personal sustainability. That’s according to the
2006 study released by SustainLane, a San
Francisco-based organization whose mission is to act as
a community resource for healthy and sustainable living.
SustainLane notes that the place where we live is
critical to our overall well-being: “Hallmarks of
sustainable cities include a commitment to public
health, an emphasis on creating a strong local economy,
and citizens and city officials working together to make
choices for the long-term benefit of the city and its
residents.”
The report gives Mayor Michael Coleman credit for
launching a “Get Green” policy and for improvements
around recycling. But the report is based on actual
accomplishments rather than ideas or plans not yet
implemented.
The biggest reason Columbus ranks so poorly is the
lack of mass transit. Columbus is the largest city in
the US that has neither light rail for local passenger
service nor high-speed passenger rail to other cities.
Columbus commuters rely almost exclusively on cars. Less
than 3% of residents use Columbus’ bus system to
commute. Only about 2% of people walk or bike to work.
“Because the town is bisected by two diverging
Interstates, non-vehicular movement is somewhat impeded.
Columbus city center has never caught on as a hub of
redevelopment and revitalization—the city’s energies and
population have flowed ever outward on asphalted
spokes.”
Columbus ranks 37th in air quality, with an EPA ozone
air quality violation in 2004-2005. The city’s tap water
ranks 41st, as it contains 18 contaminants, 6 of which
are over the recommended limits set by the EPA. Parks
take up about 6% of the city’s total land.
“In terms of a green economy, there are few
indicators that any such thing exists in Columbus. The
city had four LEED buildings registered as of early
2006. Renewable energy businesses, local food, and a
local green business directory are also scarce, hidden,
or unavailable.”
SustainLane concludes, “Columbus would be best served
by confronting head-on its dependency on the automobile
and fossil fuel energy. The city is in danger of
becoming less competitive economically as its citizens
feel the pinch of higher gas prices. It makes sense for
Columbus to expand its fleet of public transit buses and
to examine developing other forms of public transit as
well. Besides improving the city’s air quality, such
actions would provide insurance against energy-related
economic woes.”
Read the report at
www.sustainlane.com. |
