Lake Oswego, OR Sustainable City Vision and Guiding Principles

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted in November 2007
Source File: Click here
Text:
The Sustainable City Vision and Guiding Principles are intended to guide all City
sustainability efforts by providing a common understanding of sustainability and a
vision for the future.
Vision of a Sustainable Lake Oswego
A sustainable Lake Oswego is a community that meets the vital human needs of the
present without compromising our ability to meet future needs. This requires
consideration of both long-term and short-term effects on ecological, economic, and
community systems. Operating sustainably means that we are leaving a legacy for the
community of Lake Oswego and the planet.
A sustainable Lake Oswego is a place recognized nationally as a model of livability—a
unified city with a vital downtown, a strong sense of neighborhoods, and a harmonious
relationship with the natural environment. The lives of everyone who lives, works,
and conducts business in Lake Oswego are enriched by a wide range of choices in
transportation, housing, recreation, and culture. Our infrastructure is sound, our
finances stable, and our citizens and employees healthy and engaged.
Sustainable City Principles
1. Create a future where the community, commerce, and ecosystems thrive
together in harmony.
2. Ensure a healthy and vibrant community by valuing cultural, economic, and
ecological diversity and providing a safe, healthy, and viable setting for human
interaction, education, employment, recreation, housing, commerce, and
cultural development.
3. Consider long-term impacts and use integrated decision-making to take into
account economic, ecological, and social impacts as a whole, with the
understanding that economic health, environmental quality, and social equity
are interdependent.
4. Protect and restore air, water, and land to preserve biological diversity,
environmental health, and a natural resource base for future generations.
Support policies and programs that ensure efficient use of, and reduced demand
for, natural resources, while taking necessary precautions to prevent toxic
pollution and waste and protect human health through proactive measures (e.g.,
the precautionary principle). Act locally to reduce adverse global impacts of
rapid population growth and consumption, such as global warming and ozone
depletion.
5. Make procurement decisions (e.g., purchasing and contracting) that minimize
negative environmental and social impacts, maximize long-term value, and
contribute to local and regional economic health. This includes supporting local
businesses that promote sustainability.
6. Ensure that ecosystem impacts and the costs of protecting the environment do
not unfairly burden any one geographic or socioeconomic sector of Lake Oswego.
7. Use community resources efficiently by recognizing the interconnections
between livability, growth management, land use, transportation, energy,
water, affordable housing, air quality, economic development, and the natural
environment. Adopt a holistic long term view of our investments that includes
social and environmental costs.
8. Operate in a fiscally responsible manner by selecting the most cost-effective
programs and policies to meet community priorities. Use full cost accounting, a
complete analysis of the associated costs and benefits including environmental
and social costs and benefits.
9. Develop cross-sector partnerships necessary to achieve City sustainability goals.
Partnerships among local, regional, and state government, businesses, residents,
and all community stakeholders are necessary to achieve a sustainable
community. A sustainable Lake Oswego contributes to regional, state, national,
and global sustainability.
10. Build community awareness, responsibility, involvement, and education as key
elements of successful policies, programs, and projects.
To view or download the entire plan, click here.
Category:City Governments
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Category:Sustainability Policies