ProGov21 Policy Library

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Approach

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2023

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Environmental Protection Agency

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Initiative provides support to communities in urbanized watersheds looking to reduce stormwater runoff using green infrastructure. This brief outlines how communities can incorporate green technology into roadway and utility upgrades....

2012 Pittsburgh Ordinance 2010-0909 Regulating Natural Gas Extraction

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2012

Level City or Town

State(s) Pennsylvania

Source City of Pittsburgh

Policy Areas Public Safety, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance bans the commercial extraction of natural gas within the city and establishes a bill of rights which includes the rights of natural ecosystems, the right of self government for city residents, and the right to sustainably access natural water sources. It also removes...

Greening Without Gentrification: Learning from Parks-Related Anti-Displacement Strategies Nationwide

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces

When parks are built in historically marginalized areas they can contribute to 'green gentrification' as improved access to natural spaces increases property values and brings an influx of wealthier residents. This guide outlines policy strategies for greening marginalized communities...

Pedestrian Mobility

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2019

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Housing, Public Safety, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

Mixed-use zoning promotes high-density development and enables residential, commercial, and industrial uses in a single district. This memo outlines different types of mixed-use zoning and highlights initiatives that have reduced housing and transportation costs, increased biking...

2018 New York City Ordinance 32 Requiring Energy Efficiency Requirement Improvements

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) New York

Source City of New York

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

This ordinance requires the city commissioner to regularly submit proposed amendments to the city's energy code to improve energy efficiency. The proposed amendments should bring the city's code up to date with recommendations from the New York State energy research and development...

A Green Infrastructure Network Framework to Reduce Phosphorus and Protect Natural Assets in the Village of Deforest

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town

State(s) Wisconsin

Source UniverCity Alliance

Policy Areas Community Development, Environment & Natural Resources

Local elected leaders must engage with local election administrators to ensure safe and equitable voting processes. This policy brief identifies local elected leaders as the bridge between election administrators and residents and recommends virtual town hall meetings, requesting...

Highlights of Adopted Amendments to Expand Housing Options

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2023

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) Virginia

Source Arlington County

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Housing

This guide outlines important considerations for zoning and land use policies that expand housing options and improve affordability. It finds these policies allow for multiplex development in previously single-use restricted zones, preserve maximum lot coverage and set back standards...

Integrating Valuation Methods to Recognize Green Infrastructure's Multiple Benefits

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2010

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Center for Neighborhood Technology

Policy Areas Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

This report outlines the environmental and economic benefits associated with different types of green infrastructure, including urban forests, permeable pavement, water harvesting technology, green roofs, and infiltration practices like rain gardens, bioswales, and constructed wetlands....

The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2022

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source The Trust for Public Land

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

Parks and green spaces reduce air temperatures and absorb floodwater, making them vital resources in mitigating the effects of climate change. This report outlines how cities are supporting park services and promoting natural spaces to lower urban temperatures, manage stormwater,...

Illinois Gun Owners' Safety and Responsibility Ordinance

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source Town of Mountain Lake Park

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Health

This ordinance prohibits the future extraction of natural gas in the city of Mountain Lake Park, and establishes a bill of rights which includes the civil rights of local natural ecosystems, the right to a sustainable energy future for city residents, and the right to self government....

County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level County

State(s) California

Source County of Sacramento

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Education, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Safety

Cities must develop strategic planning frameworks to mitigate emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. This climate action plan outlines carbon emission inventories, mitigation approaches, and reduction targets for Sacramento County. It provides an overview of the...

Land Value Taxation: Theory, Evidence, and Practice

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2009

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement, Housing, Public Spaces

Land value tax (LVT) refers to a property tax scheme where a tax is imposed only on the value of a building's underlying land, and not the value of improvements (structural developments) that are made on the land. These tax schemes, when used in tandem or as substitutes to standard...

Complete Parks Playbook

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States, Pennsylvania, Texas

Source ChangeLab Solutions

Policy Areas Education, Environment & Natural Resources, Health, Public Spaces

Parks enhance communities by promoting physical, mental, and social health. This guide outlines the 'complete parks approach', which helps local governments promote parks improvements by engaging communities who have historically been overlooked during parks planning discussions,...

Fueling the Fire: Why Any Fossil Fuel Industry Bailout Will Be Disastrous for Communities of Color

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town, State, National

State(s) All States

Source Partnership for Working Families

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Environment & Natural Resources, Health

Environmental racism and the subsequent chronic exposure to air pollution has been identified as one of the biggest contributing factors to higher rates of severe illness and death from COVID-19 within Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. Fossil fuel plants are among the top...

11th Street Bridge Park Equitable Development Plan

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) District of Columbia

Source Building Bridges Across the River

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces

The 11th Street Bridge Park will expand pedestrian mobility, incorporate educational resources, and provide a public venue for arts and cultural programming. This equitable development plan outlines the project's community engagement emphasis and highlights its strategies for developing...

Seattle Bicycle Master Plan

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2007

Level City or Town

State(s) Washington

Source Seattle City Council

Policy Areas Community Development, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

The Seattle Bicycle Master Plan outlines the city's plan for tripling the amount of bicycle ridership in the city and implementing new safety measures. This document includes graphics detailing potential bike lane networks, cost estimates, a biannual progress schedule, and more. ...

Green pattern book: using vacant land to create greener neighborhoods in Baltimore

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2015

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source United States Department of Agriculture

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources

This guide outlines best practices for converting vacant land into publicly accessible green spaces and parks. It specifically highlights eight "green patterns" or strategies for holding and converting vacant land including establishing temporary green spaces in plots reserved for...

Equitable Development Principles & Scorecard

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2016

Level City or Town, County

State(s) Minnesota

Source Community Engagement Steering Committee Equitable Development

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Democracy & Governance, Environment & Natural Resources, Community Development, Public Spaces, Energy, Housing, Public Safety, Transportation & Mobility

This scorecard was created by Twin Cities, MN community leaders to ensure that the principles and practices of equitable development, environmental justice, and affordability are applied in all communities as they plan for economic development and wealth creation that benefits everyone....

The Business Case for Conservation

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2022

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source American Sustainable Business Network

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources

Too often, environmental conservation is seen as an economic loss and a drag on community resources. This report challenges this conceptualization of conservation by presenting tools and methods to quantify the economic value of coastal and land conservation....

2015 Chicago Ordinance 1741015 Providing Zoning Incentives for Green Roofs

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2015

Level City or Town

State(s) Illinois

Source City of Chicago

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

Chicago's zoning code awards a Floor-Area Ratio (FAR) bonus for green roofs that cover more than 50 percent of the roof area in downtown mixed-use districts. Developments with larger green roof plots can earn higher bonuses which incentivizes more green roof development without large...

Live-Work Units

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

Live-work units are properties that combine residential and nonresidential uses in either commercial or residential zoned areas. This memo explains how live-work units reduce car usage and greenhouse gas emissions, minimize urban sprawl, and encourage local economic development. It...

Cuyahoga County Community Benefit and Opportunity Initiative

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2014

Level City or Town, County, City or Town

State(s) All States, Ohio

Source Policy Matters Ohio

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Civil Rights

The Cuyahoga County Community Benefit and Opportunity Initiatives are designed to enhance the local economy through county-funded construction projects. These initiatives prioritize the creation of living wage jobs, workforce diversity promotion, and improved building efficiency....

Twin Cities Region Equitable Development Principles & Scorecard

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2014

Level City or Town, County

State(s) Minnesota

Source Community Engagement Steering Committee Equitable Development

Policy Areas Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Environment & Natural Resources, Community Development, Public Spaces, Energy, Housing, Public Safety, Democracy & Governance, Transportation & Mobility

The principles and practices of equitable development, environmental justice, and affordability are guides for all communities: suburban cities, rural communities and urban neighborhoods. This equitable development tool will help guide development projects to 1) become economically...

Purchase of Development Rights

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Sustainable Development Code

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces

Local governments prevent environmentally damaging land development by developing purchase of development rights (PDR) programs. PDR programs enable landowners to sell the development rights of their land to a trust while keeping ownership and use. This brief outlines best practices...

Local Sustainability: A menu of policy options greening communities

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2011

Level City or Town, County, City or Town

State(s) Ohio

Source Policy Matters Ohio

Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Energy

This policy brief provides an overview of "The Oberlin Project," a partnership between the City of Oberlin and Oberlin College exemplifying energy, waste, transit, industrial, and workforce development policies designed for sustainable economic growth. Among a variety of interventions...

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