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FIVE GOALS :

ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY INNOVATION

Meet the Architecture 2030 Challenge targets for reducing fossil fuel consumption in building operations, infrastructure and transportation along with lowering energy costs and administrative burdens. The targets call for phased reductions in fossil fuel consumption to 50% in existing buildings and full carbon neutrality in new buildings and major alterations, with lower transportation emissions and water consumption, by the year 2030. We will achieve these targets at the district scale by:

  • establishing accurate, uniform energy monitoring metrics
  • deploying innovative information and renewable energy technologies
  • integrating sustainable design strategies and solutions to retrofit ubiquitous NYC building types
  • encouraging energy savings by addressing the split incentives between owners and tenants
  • utilizing electronic and social media to attract stakeholder participation, communicate program information and report progress

FOSTER SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROSPERITY

Encourage community and cultural networks to forge new strategic alliances with businesses and institutions to equitably develop sustainable projects and programs for improved quality of life. Enhance public health and safety through land use patterns linking greenspace and the waterfront with expanded pedestrian and bicycle access.

  • Promote ecosystem and microclimate restoration through expanding native landscaping, green roofs, urban agriculture, composting and access to fresh local food along with storm water and waste management benefits.
  • Implement durable improvements to housing affordability, education, training and employment opportunities in conjunction with district-scale entrepreneurship and community-based sustainability efforts.

IMPROVE RESILIENCE TO MITIGATE RISKS

Adapt district infrastructure to provide distributed resilient performance for storm protection, accessible emergency power, communications and critical facilities. Integrate renewable energy and resilient infrastructure projects to combine measures for disaster prevention, emergency response, climate change mitigation and adaptation.

  • Develop working prototypes of aggregated sustainable energy networks and microgrids for daily and emergency electrical and thermal energy.
  • Encourage installation of resilient public infrastructure prototypes on streets, in parks and at transit facilities.

FACILITATE FINANCING OF DISTRICT GOALS

Achieve clear guidance and practical access to financing sources for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation projects for all stakeholders, from consumers to large property owners. Leverage district-wide commitments to expand funding availability, improve terms and achieve economies of scale.

  • Aggregate collective efficiencies through bulk purchasing efforts, cooperative project implementation and coordinated financial management of grants, tax incentives and loan programs.
  • Establish an open, transparent, sustainable information resource to share current performance and cost / benefit evaluations of materials, equipment and methods.

ADVOCATE FOR POLICY PROGRESS

Introduce policy initiatives to demonstrate expanded community sustainability models through district-wide test sites for building code, zoning and regulatory revisions. Propose reforms to offer tax, zoning and land use incentives and to overcome obstacles toward construction of:

  • high-performance sustainable buildings and facilities
  • community microgrids and distributed energy networks
  • cooperative sustainable development projects

2030 Districts Network