Summary: Analysis Of PLANYC Project

Analysis of PlaNYC project

Eight years ago, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg launched PlaNYC, an ambitious sustainability plan to create a greener, greater New York for its growing population 2030. As mentioned before, PlaNYC contained 127 initiatives to improve New York City’s physical infrastructure, environment, quality of life, and economy ( PlaNYC progress report 2011). The PlaNYC is an interesting case study of sustainability leadership because the plan is active and dynamic. By this I mean, unlike some local governments, New York City plan was not developed and kept on the shelve. Put differently, New York City has put its Sustainability Plan into action in order to achieve its vision - Greater and Greener New York for everyone. Each

As a city, New York has the critical components to become the most sustainable, resilient city in the world: a committed citizenry, extensive public-sector resources, infrastructure expertise, access to private capital, strong labour unions, and science and technology innovators" (PlaNYC update 2014, p85). Over 97% of the 127 initiatives in PlaNYC were launched within one-year of its release and almost two-thirds of its 2009 milestones were achieved or mostly achieved (PlaNYC update 2011). Over 800,000 trees have been planted, air quality is greatly improved, and carbon emissions have been reduced 19 percent ( PlaNYC progress report, 2014). The city added 109 acres of new parklands to New York City’s park system (including 47 acres of land under water) in 2013. The MillionTrees NYC program is 27 percent ahead of schedule, having planted over 830,000 trees and held numerous events to teach New Yorkers how to care for them. Given the progress made so far and the consistency of the leaders, it is reasonable to consider New York City as one of the global leaders in sustainability. Despite the progress, this paper has observed one limitation of the PlaNYC. PlaNYC literature does not mention the construction of any new hospitals to accommodate for the growing population. Health is an important part of sustainable development. "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" (Sustainable Development Goal, 2015). Ensuring that everyone has accessed to good health helps to narrow the gap between the rich and