The past two weeks have been incredible, wow – Smart Sustainable Dubuque, please take a bow. What a place, what a bunch of people, what leadership in sustainability, and what commitment from a small vibrant community to inventing and figuring out their own pathway to sustainability. Around here it is literally and practically one individual, one partnership and one collaboration at a time. They have been universally great, inspirational and generous hosts to both Ian and myself. Thank you, Dubuque.
In the first two weeks we have passed through a kaleidoscope of the colors and textures of urban and rural Dubuque, Iowa (and a little bit of Wisconsin and Illinois). The stunning fall colors were at their peak especially for us (and all other visitors and residents) during our visit. Early in the morning or late at night anywhere along the mighty Mississippi, and the adjacent rolling hills, valleys and farmlands the light would seep through the oranges, reds and yellows of the woodlands providing spectacular vistas.
Learning about these kind folks, their lives and lifestyles, I think I have managed to obtain some sense of the notion of “middle America” and it isn’t bad, its great. The people and landscape make it that way.
Most importantly the people of City and County of Dubuque are all contributing significantly and meaningfully to fostering a shared worldwide pathway to sustainability in the world. Whilst the recipe for this is actually in the ether (or water of the Upper Mississippi), anyone can now see the impact of these collaborations everywhere in this city and surrounding countryside. There are so many great projects to see on ground and in practice. Highlights include:
1. Historic Millwork District redevelopment of warehouses and streetscapes, including deconstruction and reuse of materials up to 80%; shared streets for people, bikes, transit and cars; live work play work and living spaces; and community arts and welfare hubs.
2. A global IBM Smarter Cities pilot for integrating individual water, energy, gas, transport, and health projects. With some important and peer reviewed results for water showing savings of up to 6% through combining technology and community engagement (wow here they haven’t left what matters to the homeowner and individual families out);
3. Ownership and restoration of the river frontage with innovative private-public partnerships (they are everywhere and accountable).
4. Impressive Green and Healthy Homes Initiative in suburb of Washington to ensure sustainability becomes a possibility for all, not just the wealthy;
5. An amazing Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque achieving stunning grants and gifts of funding from generous donors committed to the future of their children, grandchildren and community as a whole (including supporting meaningfully those with less).
6. The Colleges and Universities of Lores and Clarke doing practical, resilient and enduring new and retrofit sustainability for energy, water and nature.
7. So many innovative companies engaging in innovating and building sustainability products and services from solar (two companies in co-opetition with each other - and this is good news for the city) to landfill gas generation machinery (Unison), innovative developers/engineering companies and smart technology integration – not just IBM either – Cartegraph.
8. Two linked and amazing National Interpretation Centers for both the Upper Mississippi River and all American Rivers (come and see the elegant Beavers – if they don’t capture your heart – rock moving bulldozers of the waterways.
There are so many other great community based including Green Dubuque and Sustainable City Network.
- Green Dubuque are a small group, who have worked with the City of Dubuque staff and Councilors to determine the communities greenhouse gas emissions and subsequently set reduction target for greenhouse gas reductions of 50% by 2030.
- Sustainable City Network working with the Sustainable Dubuque and partners held their fourth “Growing Sustainable Communities” Conference on 11-12 October showcasing and demonstrating the practical edge and practice of Dubuque’s people and organizations. Whilst peaking into the future of sustainability with cool EV vehicles and charging stations along with changes in Green Certification and LEEDs updates.
thanks again,
Greg
City of Townsville,
halfway along the Great Barrier Reef in northern Australia