Settled in Tennessee River Valley, at the base of Cumberland Plateau, Chattanooga is a industrial city that is an example of a planned model city that is planned to clean urban environment, high economy and a social capital. Twenty years before the city Chattanooga was named as dirtiest city by U.S Department of Health, Education and Welfare The Factory smoke created the air pollution with particulate matter between the mountains. This became the dirtiest city even than Los Angles.
The amount of tuberculosis became much higher with the rate of per capita tuberculosis three times the national average. Chattanooga Creek pollution was so much high with Coke Oven and steel mill toxic waste that EPA fixed the 4 Km of site as Superfund site.
Social conditions and environmental quality were degraded. As the industries moved out and upper class community moved to sub urban areas, the city was left with uncontrolled factories, decreasing tax base, unemployment, crime and misery. Mostly the worst problems were in African American neighborhoods where tackling these problems are difficult due to less resources availability.
In 1984 David Crockett, nephew of famous frontiersman held a city council. There he gathered the many city residents and asked them for the future planning of the city. Many meetings one after other was held gathered more than 1,700 people breakthrough the ideas for city planning that how their city should look like? The suggestion given in meetings were clean air, water, personal safety, jobs, place for fishing, affordable housing, and place to walk near rivers. By providing everyone right to speak and give suggestions community people made a support. Through this other people from other sides of country involved and presented their ideas.
The investments of $800 million were done by public private partnerships and 8000 new jobs were created for the people. The Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise Corporation made the investment of $60 million in affordable housing. About 1,000 new buyers of homes who were buying homes first time got the loans with low interests and others were provided the help to improve their homes. By 1990 Chattanooga achieved the compliance with air quality standards. The city promoted the public transport and built parking lots at the out strikes of the city and give free bus service in city center. Now the electric buses are made in this city and they are sold to other cities to create the revenue for the city.
The riverfront was cleaned Public fishing pier was built. The warehouses that cause a problem in the access for river were removed. Long river front park was built for walking and biking. Property values have been increased. An attracting freshwater aquarium was built.
It is said that Chattanooga is considered as granddaddy of sustainable cities movement. A livable environment, strong community and excellent economy was made in the city by adopting the principles of ecology.
David Crockett said that:
"IT IS A CITY THAT IS CLEANER, GREENER, AND SAFER.; THAT VALUES HUMANS AND NATURAL RESOURCES; AND THAT PROVIDES AN ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT WILL KEEP OUR CHILDREN HERE".
0 comments:
Post a Comment