EcoDistrict Portland - NextGen Sustainability Innovation

EcoDistrict is a next-generation, innovative, urban sustainability planning program of the Portland Institute of Sustainability (PoSI). It is a framework for empowering and accelerating urban sustainability at the neighborhood level. It is an innovation in progress and therefore a model worth watching.

Founded in 2009, PoSI "systematically brings together business, higher education, nonprofit and municipal leaders to drive a set of next-generation initiatives for urban sustainability in the Portland metro region.  The goal — big and game changing ideas that weave together community livability, ecological resiliency, and broad-based prosperity.  We believe the results will fuel business and policy innovation, enhance our quality of life, and create cities and neighborhoods that are not just sustainable, but restorative." Learn more as follows:

Portland Sustainability Institute (PoSI). Click through the Who, What, Why at the bottom of the photos for a quick orientation.

PoSI Projects: Ecodistricts: watch the two short videos at the top and bottom of the page for a quick overview. 

EcoDistricts Summit October 2010: go to the "program" tab to scan the couple day program with videos of all the major sessions, as well as links to other resources. Click through the other tabs for an overview of who's who in next-gen urban sustainability.

PDF on EcoDistrict Summit--Accelerating Sustainability at a District Scale. Good two-page summary.

Resources--Best Practices:  one of the leading lists of next-gen urban sustainability projects, programs and resources (WORTH skimming).

Resources--Publications: Original PoSI publications by project, including an EcoDistrict ToolKit 1.0 (Executive Summary, Introduction, Engagement to Governance, Finance, Policy, Performance Areas). WORTH skimming.