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The Charlotte region in North Carolina has lagged behind other metro areas in terms of sustainability, and when this project began, there was no entity taking a long-term, regional perspective and leadership role in this important area.
There was a need to develop a plan to engage public, business, government, nonprofit and academic communities to embrace sustainability, develop a tangible vision, set goals for Charlotte and commit to becoming advocates for our region’s sustainable growth.
To achieve that goal, our task was to design a brochure that encompassed feedback from several local sustainability experts and reflected the ten key aspects of urban sustainability: air, buildings and homes, economy, energy, food, parks and green space, waste, social equity, transportation, and water. Each of these is important because together they determine the quality of our lives.
Research
This brochure was a milestone for the
Charlotte region and the product of more than 100 sustainability experts
and stakeholders from broad disciplines using a collaborative and
consensus-based process, drawn from government, nonprofits, private
sectors and academia. First steps were to create a tangible vision and framework for sustainability with the help of community leaders and citizens, starting with asking each one simple question: “Twenty years from now,
what do you envision for the Charlotte region?”
We also did extensive research to see
what other cities and businesses have done for their sustainability
reports, but ultimately we ended up taking an alternate approach.
Strategy
Distinct from the reports that we came across in our research, “Charlotte 2030” uses beautiful and bright imagery, clean typography, blocks of color
and quick-and-easy positively driven points to create a sense of
hope, enthusiasm and motivation for our region. Insights from the community and experts are coupled with vibrant photography, and sections are broken out by color to make them easier to understand. Each section also includes a current stat that
supports the need for a vision and at least 12 “goal statements”
offering a glimpse into the future for each of the sustainability
initiatives.
Challenges
After holding a workshop with several small working groups to brainstorm about one of eight topics—air, water, green building, waste and recycling, green economy, land use and green space, clean energy, and transportation—the information had to be edited down. We had to make it more tangible, to engage public citizens to take ownership over the sustainability vision and enable the city and the county to implement goals in a phased approach.
Effectiveness
Based
on the metrics and feedback laid out below, we consider this project a success across the following areas of impact:
Economy: With the
nicely designed brochure containing a clear vision and concrete action items
under each of the aspects of urban sustainability, more businesses and
stakeholders from broad disciplines have come to the table to take part in the
plan and embrace Sustain Charlotte’s mission, offering support, partnerships,
funding and publicity. Going forward, this will become “the way” of doing
business in the region and ultimately drive more revenue for a green economy.
People: The brochure
was unveiled at a public launch event in November 2010 in the center city of
Charlotte with Mayor Anthony Foxx, the County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts,
numerous city officials, community leaders and citizens and was immediately
adopted by the city and county to use as a framework in making decisions to
build a sustainable region. With the goals presented in this brochure, citizens
embraced taking action and Sustain Charlotte, as well as several other
nonprofit organizations, saw a spike in volunteers. There has also been an
increase in attendance at city council meetings by the public to advocate for
certain environmental topics that affect our region.
Environment: The 500 quantity 16-page
locally printed brochure was designed sustainably in various ways: keeping its
size compact size (8.5” x 5.5”); using a full press sheet, which eliminated
waste; and printing on FSC-certified, process chlorine free paper, which was
made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled fiber and manufactured entirely with
Green-e certified wind-generated electricity. The brochure also has a saddle
stitch binding so it is completely recyclable, but readers were
encouraged to return the brochure to Sustain Charlotte or to share it with a
friend. An electronicPDF version of the brochure is also available online.
Culture: Since the launch of this brochure, several other groups and
initiatives have hatched, including a drive for Charlotte to become a green
leader in the United States and a leader in clean renewable energy. City
council has even developed an “Environmental Committee” using the guidelines of
this brochure as its framework. Mecklenburg County’s 2011 Environmental Policy Action
Plan also includes many of the key aspects of the vision laid out in the
brochure.
Several press and news stations attended the public launch
event, where the brochure created excitement for the public as well as business
and nonprofits working together for a common goal. The piece ultimately has
helped to champion sustainable public policies, business practices and individual
choices.
Press links:
Pro bono
Eighty-five percent of the design for the “Charlotte 2030: A Sustainable Vision For Our Future” brochure was donated by Rachel Martin Design with 15 percent of it paid with the help of a sponsor.
This case study is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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