Harnessing Trends
When trends emerge, we focus on how to use the unique role that Living Cities plays as a leader and a convenor to harness change to the benefit low-income people and the communities in which they live.
Green Agenda
Our Green Agenda is one example of that. As America is transitioning to a post-fossil fuel economy, we are working with leaders — city and state governments, local philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and businesses — to ensure that the investments made in the new “green economy” intentionally include opportunities for low-income people and historically underserved urban communities. For example, Living Cities is working with partners from around the country to increase energy efficiency in buildings at a large scale, to create green-collar jobs that have a career ladder in key employment sectors, and to develop training programs that enable low-income people to qualify for and obtain these green-collar jobs.
Similarly, equitable transit-oriented development (TOD), such as preserving affordable housing near transit, is a key part of planning for the green economy. TOD is a complex issue that requires partnerships across every sector and often among agencies and organizations with competing agendas. Living Cities is forging these partnerships and raising attention to this critical issue.
Get more information on equitable TOD.
Find out about Living Cities' Recovery through Retrofitting: Green Boot Camp.
Living Cities' "Green Cities" report assesses how 40 of our nation's largest cities are trying to limit their carbon footprints and strengthen their economies.