Friday, June 24th, 2011
Lake Zurich village leaders are encouraging residents to take a short survey between now and August about household water usage and local water concerns that will inform the creation of an integrated water resources plan. For a great primer on what’s at stake for all of us who live near the Great Lakes, check out WBEZ’s Front and Center series.
Lake Zurich faces several important water management decisions, from the future source of its water supply to strategies to reduce local flooding. The village is partnering with CNT, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois Extension, and Metropolitan Planning Council to develop an integrated water resources plan that will address every aspect of Lake Zurich’s water, including its water supply, wastewater treatment, and storm water and flooding management.
Residents should visit http://svy.mk/lzwater between now and August 2011.
(Photo by: Robert Fornal, Flickr CC)
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, Natural Resources | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
Case studies for sustainability often involve really big places, like Portland or San Francisco. But a much different place hopes to demonstrate that it can be a model for energy efficient mobility: Oberlin, Ohio, population 8,761. Small towns and rural areas face some unique transportation challenges, and Oberlin hopes to demonstrate solutions that can be used in other communities.
CNT is helping Oberlin identify local strengths for sustainable transportation, such as its walkable downtown, biodiesel conversion station, and abundance of bicycles. But like many communities, Oberlin’s transit service has been cut in recent years and many residents own a car just to reach jobs and shopping. Earlier this month, CNT interviewed local leaders and community members about ways the town can overcome those challenges as it cuts the carbon impact from residents and workers traveling to, from, and within Oberlin. Read more »
Posted in Climate, Featured Portfolio News | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
On June 14 the Kane County Board approved an energy plan that recommends a set of actions that could save the county between $1 billion and $3.4 billion in avoided energy costs over the next 30 years. The Kane County 2040 Energy Plan, produced by Chicago-based nonprofit CNT Energy, provides data and analysis on current energy use in the county and then projects various energy use scenarios between today and 2040. The plan is an expanded update that CNT Energy produced for the county in 2005. Read more »
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Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
CNT provided the analysis for the new Transportation4America report, Aging in Place, Stuck Without Options, out today on the cities that have worst mobility options for seniors. Large cities with the poorest transit access for seniors included Atlanta, Riverside-San Bernardino (CA), Houston, Detroit, and Dallas. A whopping 90% of seniors in Atlanta will lack transit access in 2015. Medium-sized cities (1million-3million) with the poorest transit access for seniors are Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth-Arlington, Nashville, and Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. By 2015, 88% of seniors in Kansas City will have poor access to public transit.
Where does your city rank? Are you planning to stick around there as you age? Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, H+T, Transportation and Community Development | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
Chicago ranks 10th for metro areas its size with poor access to transit for seniors
Chicago IL – By 2015, more than 15.5 million Americans ages 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation service is poor or non-existent, a new study shows. That number is expected to continue to grow rapidly as the baby boom generation “ages in place” in suburbs and exurbs with few mobility options for those who do not drive.
The report, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options, ranks metro areas by the percentage of seniors with poor access to public transportation, now and in the coming years, and presents other data on aging and transportation. The analysis by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) evaluates metro areas within five size categories.
By 2015, 66 percent of seniors living in suburban Chicago will have poor transit access, while only 6 percent of seniors living in the City of Chicago will face poor transit options. The total number of seniors with poor access is projected to increase by 153,550 by 2015.
Metro Chicago ranks among the best for metro populations of 3 million and more. Atlanta ranks worst, followed by Riverside-San Bernardino, CA, Houston, Detroit and Dallas. In smaller areas such as Hamilton, OH will have 100 percent of seniors without access to public transportation. These conditions present a daunting challenge to local communities as a larger share of their population ages, increasing the demand for mobility options.
“The baby boom generation grew up and reared their children in communities that, for the first time in human history, were built on the assumption that everyone would always be able to drive an automobile,” said John Robert Smith, president and CEO of Reconnecting America and co-chair of Transportation for America. “What happens when people in this largest generation ever, with the longest predicted lifespan ever, outlive their ability to drive? That’s one of the questions we set out to answer in this report.”
“Transportation is typically the second highest expense for people, especially for those living in areas where driving is the only way to get around,” said Jacky Grimshaw, vice president of policy at CNT. “Poor transit access not only reduces independence for seniors, it also forces them to spend a large portion of their fixed incomes on transportation costs that could instead be paying for food and medicine.”
“For older individuals, access to safe, affordable and reliable public transportation is critical, said Bob Gallo, AARP Illinois Senior State Director. “But in Chicago, a growing number of older adults lack access to the transportation options they need. AARP commends Illinois PIRG and the rest of the Transportation for America coalition for raising awareness of this issue, and starting a conversation with Congress and other stakeholders aimed at generating solutions for the transportation needs of older Americans.”
Such a small percentage of older Americans relocate that researchers already are seeing the emergence of so-called “naturally occurring retirement communities.” That phenomenon is growing as baby boomers begin to turn 65. Today, 79 percent of seniors age 65 and older live in suburban or rural communities that are largely car-dependent.
“Baby Boomers are a vital part of our economy, and we need to make sure that our local communities and entire region provide options that meet their changing transportation needs,” said Peter Skosey, vice president, Metropolitan Planning Council. “Seniors work, shop, volunteer and recreate, and our transportation system, in particular our public transportation network, must enable them to continue to do all of those things to keep our economy strong.”
Research shows that without access to affordable travel options, seniors age 65 and older who can no longer drive make 15 percent fewer trips to the doctor, 59 percent fewer trips to shop or eat out, and 65 percent fewer trips to visit friends and family, than drivers of the same age. As the cost of owning and fueling a vehicle rises, many older Americans who can still drive nonetheless are looking for lower-cost options.
“The transportation issues of an aging America are national in scope, and cash-strapped state and local governments will be looking for federal support in meeting their needs,” Smith added. “As Congress prepares this summer to adopt a new, long-term transportation authorization, Aging in Place, Stuck without Options outlines policies to help ensure that older Americans can remain mobile, active and independent.”
Policy recommendations includes:
- Increase funding support for communities looking to improve service such as buses, trains, vanpools, paratransit and ridesharing;
- Provide funding and incentives for transit operators, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to engage in innovative practices;
- Encourage state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit operators to involve seniors and the community stakeholders in developing plans for meeting the mobility needs of older adults;
- Ensure that state departments of transportation retain their authority to “flex” a portion of highway funds for transit projects and programs;
- Include a “complete streets” policy to ensure that streets and intersections around transit stops are safe and inviting for seniors.
To view the full report and to see the extended rankings, please click http://t4america.org/resources/SeniorsMobilityCrisis2011
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TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA (T4) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision — transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment, and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. www.t4america.org
Founded in 1978, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is a Chicago-based think-and-do tank that works nationally to advance urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources more efficiently and equitably. Its programs focus on climate, energy, natural resources, transportation, and community development. Visit www.cnt.org for more information.
Since 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. As an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth. www.metroplanning.org
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