MayorTV is a challenge from America’s Mayors to 2008 candidates: start talking about cities! MayorTV asked Mayor Hanrahan what she thought a national agenda for cities should look like.
Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan sees her city of Gainesville, Florida, as one that needs to build up, not out. And with Florida’s skyrocketing population growth — the state’s population is projected to grow from the current 18 million to 36 million by 2060 — Florida will soon have to listen to Mayor Hanrahan and grow in more sustainable ways.
“The only hope for doing it [growing sustainably] in any sort of way that doesn’t decimate the natural environment is to use our cities more effectively and to build more like a Boston or a Washington or a New York than an Orlando, quite frankly.”
She points out that over 730 mayors have signed on to the Kyoto Protocol, showing that cities are on the frontline of climate change in spite of the federal government’s refusal to act.
But sustainable cities aren’t just good for the environment, says Hanrahan, they’re good for the the people that live there. Quality public schools, comprehensive public transportation, and affordable housing options are vital to urban growth. However, as we build sustainable cities, we need to make them attractive not just environmentally but attractive culturally as well.
“I think the role of the city is to make the city such a wonderful place to live with access to wonderful restaurants and parks and sensible transportation alternatives and sublime arts experiences and so on that people really want to be in the city.”
If you build it, they will come.
Duration : 0:5:54
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December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Mayor Hanrahan is …
Mayor Hanrahan is at the head of the curve. She is extremely forward thinking regarding issues such as energy conservation, production and related environmental problems and solutions. An example is her support of the 1st Feed In Tariff initiative that has passed to bring down the cost of electricity and reduce the dependence on natural resouces. Craig Jacobs
December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
SMART LADY!! STOP …
SMART LADY!! STOP SUBURBAN SPRAWL!
December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
rock on mayor.
rock on mayor.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
well put , perfect
well put , perfect
December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
not true. Americans …
not true. Americans have economical issues right now. Not security, financial issues. we want change, no more republicans, no more war. And with Clinton being the republican’s democrat. Everyone knows Obama is the only demo running.
He’s got it. especially if he chooses Edwards as vp. Edwards truely has the poor in mind.