Sustainability is a relatively new term for many, and
agreement as to what it means or how to achieve it remains an
issue for debate. In a nutshell, Sustainability is meeting the
needs of the present without compromising the needs of the
future. In March 2009, Miami-Dade County was selected as one
of three communities nationwide to participate in a
sustainability planning toolkit pilot program through ICLEI-Local
Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), the aim of which is to
develop an overarching Sustainability Plan. The goal of the
Miami-Dade County Sustainability Plan, branded GreenPrint -
Our Design for a Sustainable Future, is to reaffirm,
establish and synchronize the County government and community
goals, initiatives and measures.
GreenPrint will be used as a model to replicate throughout
local communities worldwide. It is quite an honor to have been
chosen as a pilot community but, with it comes great
responsibility.
GreenPrint is intended to be integrated with the County’s
Strategic Plan, Comprehensive Development Master Plan, Aesthetic
Master Plan, Water Use Efficiency Plan, as well as the
Long Range Transportation Plan
and Solid Waste Master Plan. The GreenPrint plan will serve as
the framework to evaluate and integrate environmental, social
and economic benefits in the policy decisions, programs and
initiatives, and services Miami-Dade County delivers. |