TO BEGIN, PLEASE TYPE IN THE CITY ID * IN THE BOX BELOW. YOUR CITY ID IS PRINTED ON THE COVER PAGE OF THE SURVEY THAT WAS MAILED TO YOU. (* indicates required fields)


Sustainability Program Adoption and Planning


1. Which, if any, of the following departments in your government has lead responsibility for sustainable development programs/policies? (Please select one)

Planning
Chief Executive Officer
No department has been assigned lead responsibility.
Other (Please specify):  


2. On the following 1 to 5 scale, please rate the capacity of the department/s entrusted with sustainable development activities to pursue sustainability goals. (Please select one)

a.Adequacy of department budget Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
b.Department technical expertise Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
c.Access to top management and elected officials Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
d.Authority for enforcing regulations related to sustainable development Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

3. Again using scales from 1 to 5, please rate the commitment of the department/s entrusted with sustainable development activities to pursue sustainability goals. (Please select one)

a. Department endorsement of sustainable development goals   Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
b. Director's willingness to promote sustainable development goals   Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
c. Support of related departments and staff working on sustainability initiatives in other parts of city   Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent
d. Support and leadership of top management and elected officials   Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

4. Are there other departments and agencies that are actively involved in efforts to promote sustainable development policies within your government?

YES
NO

If yes, please identify them   


5. (If yes circled to Q4) Overall, what degree of coordination has been achieved among the various department and agencies involved in promoting sustainable development policies? (Please check one only)

Very high coordination – Joint programs and activities
High coordination – Regular contact and information sharing
Moderate coordination – Occasional contact and information sharing
Low coordination – Limited contact
No coordination – No contact or information sharing


6a. Did your municipality ever examine the sustainability plans/policies of other cities to get ideas regarding sustainability related policymaking in your city?

YES
NO

If yes, which city/cities were examined?   


6b. (If yes circled to Q6a) Why was the sustainability plans/policies in these particular cities examined? (Please check all that apply)

They have problems similar to my city
They often have good ideas
Some of our managers or staff came from that city
Viewed as a direct competitor to our city
Other (Please specify):  


7. What sources does your municipality consult with for land use and planning assistance? (Check all that apply)

State Level Agency focused on Land Use Planning or Smart Growth.
American Planning Association (state and national).
Council of Governments or Regional Planning Organization.
Other (Please specify):  
Other (Please specify):  


8. For most of your sustainability activities that are protective of the environment , what do you think were the three most influential factors to your city’s consideration and adoption of those activities? (Please check three most common factors that typically influenced adoption)

We track "peer city" activities and thought these activities are something we could benefit from, as well as to stay competitive with peers.
Grassroots based lobbying by various interest groups.
A sense of "crisis" among policymakers typically triggered action.
Professional staff and/or management had experience implementing such programs in a prior position at another city.
Cities near you adopted such activities and had a good experience with it.
Responding to Federal and state grants in aid that are available to support such programs.
It came from community based planning efforts such as watershed plans, city comprehensive plan, and policy or functional plans.
Other (Please specify):  
Other (Please specify):  


9. For most of your sustainability activities that promote economic development , what do you think were the three most influential factors to your city’s consideration and adoption of those activities? (please check three most common factors that typically influenced adoption)

We track "peer city" activities and thought these activities are something we could benefit from, as well as to stay competitive with peers.
Grassroots based lobbying by various interest groups.
A sense of "crisis" among policymakers typically triggered action.
Professional staff and/or management had experience implementing such programs in a prior position at another city.
Cities near you adopted such activities and had a good experience with it.
Responding to Federal and state grants in aid that are available to support such programs.
It came from community based planning efforts such as city comprehensive plan, and policy or functional plans.
Other (Please specify):  
Other (Please specify):  


10. For most of your sustainability activities that promote social justice and equity , what do you think were the three most influential factors to your city’s consideration and adoption of those activities? (please choose three most common factors that typically influenced adoption)

We track "peer city" activities and thought these activities are something we could benefit from, as well as to stay competitive with peers.
Grassroots based lobbying by various interest groups.
A sense of "crisis" among policymakers typically triggered action.
Professional staff and/or management had experience implementing such programs in a prior position at another city.
Cities near you adopted such activities and had a good experience with it.
Responding to Federal and state grants in aid that are available to support such programs.
It came from community based planning efforts such as city comprehensive plan, and policy or functional plans.
Other (Please specify):  
Other (Please specify):  



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