A few years ago, the folks at University City District (UCD) decided that sustainability deserved explicit recognition as a theme in their group’s work. This happened around the same time Mayor Nutter announced his Greenworks initiative that set fifteen sustainability targets for the City of Philadelphia.

“So we looked at that document,” said Seth Budick, manager of policy and research at UCD, “and looked at the targets where we felt that UCD could have the most effective role at helping the city to reach its goals.”

Those goals revolved around reducing energy use and encouraging the use of energy from renewable sources, managing stormwater, increasing tree cover, reducing vehicle miles traveled, increasing the number of green jobs, and bringing local food to the neighborhood.

Clark Park helps with stormwater management

“Sustainability is in the DNA of the neighborhood,” said Budick. “Both…

More than 30 percent of Philly’s impervious surfaces are associated with residential locations. In a city where the green canopy is lacking, the actions one can take to improve the sustainability of one’s own home are a great opportunity to do good for the planet.

Rain Check is a new neighborhood pilot program from the Philadelphia Water Department designed to help neighbors reduce the cost of installing rainwater management tools on their property and participate in installing green elements at homes around the city. By subsidizing the cost of downspout planters, yard trees, de-paving, porous paver systems and rain gardens by up to 95%, according to this graph from the University City District, homeowners are encouraged to participate in the birth of a widespread Philadelphia sustainable movement. Participation will not lower the cost of a water bill, but it will help to reduce negative aspects of storm-water runoff…