Greener Pastures: Chicago, Illinois
(Page 2 of 3)
February/March 2003
By John Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist
The city and its many communities are returning to their green roots and honoring the city's 165-year-old motto, "City in a Garden," by adding thousands of trees and native perennials to the landscape, restoring 28 miles of boulevard gardens, and creating pocketparks in empty lots and abandoned gas stations. The city has embarked on ambitious plans to re-create open space, wildlife habitat and green corridors, building upon an existing 7,300 acres of parklands within its bounds.
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Mayor Richard M. Daley has spearheaded numerous green building projects, sustainable design initiatives, and recycling and water-quality management programs. Chicago has aggressive plans to generate 20 percent of its electrical power from renewable energy sources within five years. Its energy efficiency retrofits of existing public buildings utilize the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. As part of the Urban Heat island reduction plan, the Chicago Department of Environment planted a rooftop garden on top of City Hall. The garden's earthen mass decreases the building's energy needs and the plants improve air quality by reducing ozone pollution and smog. One innovative brownfield revitalization project resulted in the Center for Green Design, a building that includes a water catchment system, a 40-kilowatt photovoltaic system and the use of numerous green building materials. Among its tenants is the Chicago Green Corps, an organization that has helped more than 250 communities add gardens and green space.
Chicago's financial rebates and incentives for residential renewable energy systems are among the best in the nation. As much as $6 per installed watt is offered for photovoltaic systems, and up to 50 percent of the installation costs are covered for residential wind generators.
The city is home to collaborative partnerships and community groups for just about any imaginable issue or cause. The Chicago Wilderness coalition, for example, is an unprecedented alliance of more than 140 public and private organizations working together to protect, restore, study and manage the natural ecosystems of the Chicago region for the benefit of the public. We are among the many readers of Chicago's award-winning ConsciousChoice magazine, which focuses on sustainable living and environmental issues. Earth Day in the city is celebrated for an entire month with numerous conferences and programs.
