Re-Connection - October 2009

Last weekend, citiwire.net, an online pool of news and opinions from thought leaders on sustainable metropolitan development compiled by nationally syndicated columnist Neal Pierce, published a commentary from MPC President MarySue Barrett. She wrote about the Chicago visit of four high-ranking members of the Obama administration in September — EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Shelley Poticha representing Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Director Adolfo Carrion, of the White House Office of Urban Affairs — for MPC’s 2009 Annual Luncheon.

Introducing Barrett’s column, Pierce wrote “Since the days of Jefferson, active federal government interest in cities has been a kind of unnatural act. But the Obama era is bringing change, both domestically, and now, quite surprisingly, globally. MarySue Barrett, writing from Chicago, reflects on visits by top federal officials and the emerging on-the-ground coordination of historically ‘silo’ed’ departments as they work in America’s regions.”

Where We Stand

MPC is enthusiastic about the potential the Obama administration's Livability Principles have to guide future federal investment policy.

When the federal officials came to Chicago for MPC’s Annual Luncheon, attended by more than 1,000 business, civic, and community leaders, they each left with a preview copy of Advancing Livability Principles: Federal Investment Reforms Lessons from the Chicagoland Experience. The paper released publically this week, was drafted by MPC in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and Regional Transportation Authority. It outlines the partners’ collective ideas for putting the Obama administration’s joint-agency livability principles into action, and showcases the Chicago region’s successes as models for nationwide implementation of federal investment policies that are goal-oriented, right-sized, and coordinated.

The Advancing Livability Principles paper is part of an ongoing MPC project to advocate for federal investment reform. Over the coming months, staff and volunteers will be taking the paper on the road, to meet with local, regional, state, and federal policymakers and community stakeholders. If your company or organization is interested in a presentation, please contact MPC for more information.

Project Progress Report

MPC’s continuing work on water supply policy took a significant step forward on Oct. 13, when more than 125 people from throughout Illinois and the Great Lakes region gathered to discuss preliminary recommendations from the forthcoming MPC and Openlands’ report, Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois.

As the two pilot regional water supply planning processes (the one in this region led by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) come to a close, the state has provided no funding to continue the important effort, nor have additional groups been established to cover the remaining geography of the state. The learnings from the regional planning process have been invaluable: as of 2009, we face immense water waste and inefficiency, but long-term shortages are not inevitable.

In 2010 and beyond, MPC will work with Openlands, CMAP, local officials, and other partners to continue the regional planning process, establish new tools (such as rainwater harvesting for indoor, non-potable uses) to expand supply, and build on existing momentum to maintain sustainable water supplies in all parts of our region and state.