Chattanooga is one of nine communities across the country chosen to help develop a rating system for sustainability.
Just as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification provided a road map for individual buildings to be more cost-effective, energy efficient and healthier, the Star Community Index will offer a similar road map to sustainability for entire communities, said David Crockett, director of Chattanooga’s Office of Sustainability.
“The definition of sustainability is how all the things work together,” he said. “As [Chattanooga] built new roads and spread out, we left classrooms empty. So it’s not just about nature and the environment, but also about things like education and crime. It really is a process of making decisions.”
To help cities make better decisions for sustainability, the ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is offering nine beta communities discounted software to help city leaders and residents track and rate key local factors, including environment, economy and social equity.
Each community will pay $25,000 to the foundation for the analytical and decision-planning program. The foundation will provide support and training throughout 2011 and into spring 2012 — the time it takes to complete the testing and development, according to ICLEI’s website.