1. United States
2. Nev.
3. Letter

I hope this correspondence finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the current approach to sustainable city development in our country. While green spaces and urban amenities are important, the prevailing “parks, cafes, and a riverwalk” model often prioritizes the interests of wealthier residents, leading to the displacement of low- and middle-income communities. This form of environmental gentrification excludes long-term residents from the benefits of these improvements and disrupts the social fabric of our neighborhoods. True sustainability requires a balance of environment, economy, and equity. Too often, the equity component is overlooked in favor of economic gains and aesthetic enhancements, resulting in increased real estate prices, loss of affordable housing, and the displacement of those who have contributed to the community for years. We need to adopt a “just green enough” model, which aims to achieve environmental cleanups and create green spaces while ensuring these improvements benefit long-term residents, particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods. This approach recognizes that sustainable development must include affordable housing, living-wage jobs, and access to green spaces for all residents, not just a privileged few. The Newtown Creek Alliance in Brooklyn and Queens exemplifies this approach. By focusing on environmental remediation and revitalizing industrial jobs, they are creating a greener neighborhood that allows working-class residents to stay and benefit from the improvements. Similarly, UPROSE in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park is combining racial justice with climate resilience to ensure economic opportunities and environmental benefits are equitably distributed. To build truly sustainable cities, I urge you to advocate for policies that prioritize equity alongside environmental and economic considerations. This includes supporting affordable housing projects, investing in living-wage jobs, and ensuring that green amenities are accessible to all residents. We must also consider long-term strategies, such as “patient capital,” that allow for sustainable development without the pressure of quick profits that often lead to gentrification. This perspective is supported by research presented in the article “Why Sustainable Cities of the Future Need More Than Parks, Cafes, and a Riverwalk” published on Blue Zones, which you can find here: https://www.bluezones.com/2024/08/why-sustainable-cities-of-the-future-need-more-than-parks-cafes-and-a-riverwalk/. By expanding our vision of what a green city looks like and who it is for, we can create urban environments that are truly sustainable and inclusive. I hope you will consider these points as you work on policies that shape the future of our cities. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.