Project Summary
Stamford has developed strategies to deal with sustainability of the community by creating a partnership with public and private sectors to “adapt human activities to the constraints and opportunities of the natural system…” The mayor has created a Sustainable Stamford Task Force, engaged in energy efficiency programs, green roof initiatives, and other initiatives for the city.
Project Background
The city has identified its goal as promoting interdisciplinary, coordinated action among the private, public and non-profit sectors, addressing the policies and challenges in a holistic manner. Stamford has also developed a report card mechanism to measure its progress and efficiency. The three forms of metrics are Benchmarks, Target, and Progress. The Benchmarks reflect existing conditions or a starting point; Targets address goals and objectives; and Progress measures movement toward fulfilling the goals and objective. The city understands there are policies and goals that cannot be quantified in those three categories, but the categories are the best way to give the city a report card on how it’s doing over time.
Project Implementation
In 2010, Stamford adopted an amendment to its master plan, the sustainability amendment. In developing this amendment, Stamford created objectives to deal with climate change adaptation. The amendment’s strategies focus on three coves: Shippan, Westcott, and Dolphin. The city’s goal is to develop a public education campaign in order to inform the citizens of Stamford about the effect of climate change on heath, specifically targeting children and seniors. The city also plans to include adaptation in all of its capital projects, including sustainability component in the capital budget.
Moreover, in 2010 the Mill River 28-acre park was restored, with a removal of Mill Pond Dam and walls, followed by a reconstruction of a natural river bordered by banks, vegetated native trees, and plants. This was intended to create a durable and capable river withstanding storm events. Additionally, Stamford is restoring wetlands along the river banks and reintroducing species to enhance the river site. Finally, Stamford plans to develop an extreme weather notification system that will make automatic calls to warn at-risk individuals of impending extreme climate change. The at-risk population will include day care centers and elder facilities
Project Outcomes and Conclusions
Currently in progress.