Sustainability Vision

The community identified the main components of their vision for sustainability at the Visioning Workshop conducted early in the NSIP Process. That vision was translated into specific goals on which the community will focus and that also contribute to the city’s sustainability priorities at large.

Energy Efficiency

The community identified energy efficiency as a priority during the Visioning Workshop as well as through their comment submissions that followed the meeting. Since the community has a large share of older less-efficient buildings, energy usage is a weakness that can be transformed into an exemplary opportunity for improvement.

Renewable Energy

Residents advocated to increase local production of renewable energy as a method to reduce environmental pollution. This goal can be attained individually as homeowners and businesses invest in solar systems and other technologies, or it can be achieved as a community by initiating funding mechanisms or starting coops to offset investment costs.

Environmental Management

The importance of improving the environmental management of multi-family dwellings cannot be overstated. With the majority of people in the study area living in multi-family buildings, and with many including 200 units or more, these should be a prime target of NSIPP efforts to lower the neighborhood’s carbon footprint.

Mobility

Several local residents expressed interest in improving mobility options within the study area, specifically for biking, pedestrian safety, buses, and Metro transit. There are several existing conditions that impede access to the broad range of mobility options that the community desires, especially for bicycle users in the Pilot Project Area. Community support for a new light rail or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) serving the community and for new development that supports walking, biking, shopping and working locally has been very high.

Water Conservation

Public input identified that water conservation is also an important goal to the community. This complements the SWOT analysis presented in the Visioning Workshop to show that there is great potential for reducing water demand in the neighborhood.

Water Quality

With four local sub-watersheds draining to the area, the Pilot Project area can initiate improvements that minimize contamination and pollution of the water quality in its streams, which lead to Rock Creek and contribute to the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Tree Cover

The SWOT analysis revealed that the neighborhoods in the study area (excluding Rock Creek Park) have opportunities to increase tree cover by an additional 15% (as reported by Casey Trees). Ideas such as Green Alleys were endorsed during the workshop to promote additional street trees.

Green Business

The community is interested in both promoting businesses that offer green services like appliance repair as well as businesses that have green operations like restaurants that recycle their waste. The community can help by maintaining and promoting green business lists and creating awards and recognitions to businesses that lead the way.

Social Capital

Residents emphasized the need to spread awareness, recognize local sustainability champions, and share their success stories. Creating and expanding its green social capital will help the Pilot Project area foster social cohesion and ultimately implement successful sustainability programs.