Sustainable City

Upper Arlington has the potential to become a leader among local governments in championing environmental sustainability and fighting climate change.

We can become a twenty-first century municipality by embracing eco-friendly technology, improving our current environmental initiatives, and keeping our green spaces accessible and well maintained. In our corner of the world, it is up to us to do our best. Nobody else will do it for us. Building a sustainable city is how Upper Arlington can contribute to a better future for all.

I will make Upper Arlington more sustainable by focusing on the following points:

• Make sure that every city-owned property from our parks to our city buildings  continue to have recycling available along with regular trash.

  The city has made a good start but we need to make sure that it is introduced at every site as soon as possible.

• Make Upper Arlington’s municipal buildings solar power-aided

  Another way we can reduce our carbon footprint is to utilize solar energy in public buildings. Solar panels are simple and easy to install, and importantly, they don’t always need direct sunlight to generate electricity.

• Introduce sustainability standards for new homes and businesses

  One of the most powerful tools of city government is the power of regulation. We need to create universal efficiency standards for our city to make sure that new businesses and homes are energy efficient throughout all seasons.

• Work to make UA a bike friendly community

  Riding a bike is healthy, environmentally sustainable and fun, but the number one complaint that people have about biking is that they don’t feel safe on public roads. I will work to get more space on the road for bikes and increase public awareness of bike riders.

• Continue efforts to expand the number of public charging stations for electric vehicles

  As electric vehicles become more popular, we should make a concerted effort to increase charging station accessibility throughout the community. As with parking meters, these stations generate revenue and require little maintenance. 

  Science and technology is constantly evolving and we are continuously  learning more about ways that we can do on our part to counter climate change. The most important part of that process is for our city to remain flexible and keep an open mind about sustainability.