Our Planet – Urban Sustainability: Resilient Cities

Overview

Visitors taking a hard hat tour of the Rumpke Recycling Company in Cincinnati, OH

Sixteen participants from diverse backgrounds took part in the multi-regional "Our Planet - Urban Sustainability: Resilient Cities" International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The national program was put together so that the participants could examine efforts to increase the adaptive capacity of urban populations to respond to climate change and strengthen international cooperation on driving urban action. Participants were also able to explore methods of implementation of various sustainable practices that lower emissions and learn more about inter-agency initiatives at the federal/state/local levels to promote partnerships in urban sustainable planning. After an opening in Washington, DC individual programs were organized for cities including New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH; Kalamazoo, MI; Phoenix, AZ, and Los Angeles, CA.

There were many highlights for the overall national itinerary. In Washington, the group was especially happy to have met with former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening, the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation, and the State Department. Highlights outside of Washington included appointments with the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, the Cincinnati Zoo and Rumpke Recycling Plant in Cincinnati, and staff behind the "Power to Change Program" in Atlanta.

Sponsor

International Visitor Leadership Program, U.S. Department of State

Project summary