While our employers and education institutions, building owners, and cities are taking on the challenge of creating their own sustainability plans for the future, county-wide initiatives are still rare – even almost unheard-of.
Two Fridays ago, one such plan was revealed for Los Angeles County. During the Los Angeles Business Council 2019 Sustainability Summitat L.A.’s Getty Center, a regional sustainability plan for Los Angeles County was unveiled. L.A. County officials shared a draft of the initial plan at the event with business, government and nonprofit leaders, as well as elected officials, including State Senators Nancy Skinner and Henry Stern, and City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
OurCounty, the Los Angeles Countywide Sustainability Plan, intends to address social and economic disparities across Los Angeles County, by driving green policies for the future and by putting into place measurable goals that will make real-life positive impacts on all L.A. County residents.
L.A. County formed its initial draft of the plan through a partnership with BuroHappold Engineering, the University of California, Los Angeles, and social justice experts from the Liberty Hill Foundation.
To develop the green plan and to gather input and social-gathering, these partners have already convened 11 community workshops to engage 630-plus stakeholders from 292 organizations. BuroHappold Engineering, the lead consultant on the initiative, announced OurCounty’s unveiling:
“The resulting plan represents the perspectives of localities and neighborhoods disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and social and economic inequities…The plan outlines what leaders called a ‘set of strategies and actions for creating a resilient, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable County.’”
In an officeinsight interview, we spoke with BuroHappold’s Chris Rhie, project manager of the OurCounty plan, about the new sustainability draft, why it is unique, the challenges it will engage, and next steps.
The role L.A. County will play in its new sustainability plan is somewhat unchartered territory.“Nationally, countywide sustainability plans are rare, especially for a major metropolitan area,” noted the press announcement. “Los Angeles County is the most populous in the United States, with more than 10 million residents and 88 incorporated cities.”
To give some perspective, Mr. Rhie noted that with its 10 million residents, L.A. County is by farthe largest county in the U.S.
“Cook County in Illinois, which is the second largest county, has less than half that number,” said Mr. Rhie. “Put another way, L.A. County has more residents than the entire state of Michigan.”
Working within such a large territory creates significant challenges in crafting a comprehensive and ambitious, yet still achievablesustainability plan. The larger the region and the more entities involved, the more complex – the messier – the endeavor becomes. The makers of the OurCounty sustainability plan, however, chooses to turn that paradigm on its head.
“In general across the U.S., counties have a very specific role and a very limited jurisdiction, often around courts, public health, and other functions,” said Mr. Rhie. “What’s unique about this sustainability plan is that it enables the county to take on a leadership role. The city of L.A. has four million people, and outside of L.A. there are 87 other cities and 6 million more people in L.A. County. Many of those cities are small – with small staffs and limited resources. This plan creates a space for L.A. County to perform that leadership function, providing tools and connecting groups with resources that they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
A sustainability plan that covers a larger swath of land also opens the door to more efficient, and therefore more successful, solutions.
“A lot of sustainability issues – for example, a watershed or air quality – span multiple jurisdictions,” said Mr. Rhie. “They don’t necessarily respect the city lines we’ve drawn for ourselves for governmental and other reasons. At a county level, and especially in the case of L.A. County with its vast territory, we’re able to develop solutions that don’t just stop where a watershed cross city lines.”
The OurCounty sustainability plan places a strong emphasis on social equity and environmental justice, noted Mr. Rhie.
“It’s a people-focused plan. We wanted to move human health and wellbeing into better focus in L.A. County. And we tried to make it true to the identity and narrative of L.A. L.A. has struggled in creating racial equality and in building complete neighborhoods that offer all peoples access to the things they need. The plan focuses on filling these gaps in our communities. We’ll also address air pollution, which you’ll note is the first of the 12 goals.”
We encourage our readers to read through the OurCounty regional sustainability planand to draw their own conclusions about how the draft was formed and how effective it might be when it officially launches.
OurCounty includes 12 Goals, that are broken down further into 37 corresponding Strategies and 148 Actions. The 12 Goal are:
>Goal 1: Resilient and healthy community environments where residents thrive in place.
>Goal 2: Buildings and infrastructure that support human health and resilience.
>Goal 3: Equitable and sustainable land use and development without displacement.
>Goal 4: A prosperous LA county that provides opportunities for all residents and businesses and supports the transition to clean economy sectors.
>Goal 5: Thriving ecosystems, habitats and biodiversity.
>Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological discovery and cultural activities.
>Goal 7: A fossil fuel-free LA county.
>Goal 8: A convenient, safe, clean and affordable transportation system that expands mobility while reducing car dependency.
>Goal 9: Sustainable production and consumption of resources.
>Goal 10: A sustainable and just food system that enhances access to affordable, local and healthy food.
>Goal 11: Inclusive, transparent and accountable governance that encourages participation in sustainability efforts, especially by disempowered communities.
>Goal 12: A commitment to realize OurCounty sustainability goals through creative, equitable and coordinated funding and partnerships.
The press announcement notes:
“Among the plan’s ambitious goals are reduction of on-road diesel particulate emissions by 100% by 2035, sourcing 80% of water locally by 2045, and achieving carbon neutrality, or net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, countywide by 2050. Gary Gero, Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Officer, said these and other efforts outlined in the plan reflect priorities of residents and, if approved by the Board of Supervisors, would establish a roadmap for building a sustainable future based on a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and innovation grounded in community equity.”
Mr. Rhie notes that all of the 149 “Actions” in the plan are new things that will be executed for the first time or will be significantly scaled up to adequately address the issue at the county level. Of the 149 Actions, some will start immediately upon approval of the plan, and others will ramp up later.
“Part of what we’re trying to do now is work through the sequencing of all of this.”
A series of community meetings will be held to solicit public input before a final plan is submitted to the Board of Supervisors for approval later this year; locals can find the meeting schedule below. In addition to these community forums, members of the public are encouraged to provide input on the draft plan via OurCountyLA.org, a new website launched by the county where residents can view the plan and provide feedback online. All public comment opportunities will be open through May 24.
“We’re proud of the different, innovative way we’ve approached the development of a sustainability plan,” said Mr. Rhie. “In developing the 12 cross-cutting goals, our intent is to provide solutions that are holistic, and that encourage individuals and groups to think outside their bubbles – to move outside their normal circle and begin thinking and collaborating beyond those confines. It was very difficult to come to a consensus on what these goals should be, but we believe we are delivering something that is greater than its parts.”
Community Events
>April 20, Pasadena: Our Voice, Our County: Environmental Fair + Expo (link)
>April 27, Van Nuys: Our Voice, Our County: Environmental Fair + Expo (link)
>May 4, Commerce: Our Voice, Our County: Environmental Fair + Expo (link)
>May 11, Exposition Park: Our Voice, Our County: Environmental Fair + Expo (link)
>May 18, Wilmington: Our Voice, Our County: Environmental Community Fair (link)