Sustainable Success Stories
Call for Exemplary Projects
Overview
Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), in collaboration with its partners the Kansas City chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Planning Association (APA), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), seeks to highlight and promote exemplary sustainability-related policies, plans, programs, practices or projects applicable to the Kansas City region and surrounding areas (collectively referred to as “Projects”).
This call for Projects is part of an ongoing community dialogue focused on building a better understanding of sustainable development initiatives that have the potential to transform our community into “America’s Green Region” (click to learn more). The broad vision underlying that strategy reflects an evolving community receptivity and commitment to a “triple bottom-line” approach that integrates social equity, environmental health and economic growth.
MARC and its partners will select outstanding Project submittals for presentation at one of two workshops scheduled for November 6, 2008 and December 2, 2008. MARC will also promote chosen Projects on its Web site and in other materials developed to support sustainable development efforts throughout the region. The review committee will award up to three partial scholarships ($500 value) for MARC’s 2009 Academy for Sustainable Communities Leadership Series for top submissions.
Eligible Submittals
Broad shifts in public understanding about the need for environmental protection are mirrored by ever-increasing policy level commitment to a triple bottom-line approach. Many initiatives underway in our community reflect this new approach. Efforts eligible for consideration are wonderfully diverse. They include, but are not limited to: public education, community development, urban planning and design, industrial ecology, waste management, natural resource conservation, green building, water resource management, climate protection and urban agriculture.
Given such diversity of effort and accomplishment, MARC requests submittals from many areas of practice that will help illustrate the potential of new approaches to address the new (and the enduring) problems confronting our community and society. Please note that submissions are encouraged from front line staff to decision-makers.
Project Selection Process
A selection committee comprised of representatives from MARC and its partners will select approximately 10 submittals for presentation at the two planned workshops. Chosen Projects will be published and distributed by MARC. Evaluation criteria to be used for Project selection will include, but not be limited to the following:
- Anticipated economic, community and ecologic benefits
- Innovative design and/or approaches
- Unique funding sources and/or partnerships
- Replicability
- Applicability to the Kansas City region (preference will be given to local projects)
Schedule:
July 22, 2008 Issue Request for Projects
September 5, 2008 Project submittals due to MARC by 5 p.m.
September 26, 2008 Selections announced
November 6, 2008 Workshop One
December 2, 2008 Workshop Two
Submittal Format
Projects must be submitted to MARC by the deadline noted above. Submittals must be no longer than four (4) pages in length (8½” x 11”), including images. Applicants may submit as many Projects as they wish. Projects must be submitted in the online submission form linked below. The contents of the submittal should address the issues described below:
Project/Plan Name and Location:
Contact: Provide the name, address, phone number, fax number and email address of the person(s) or organizations submitting the Project or study. Also provide the name and contact information for the owner or sponsor of the Project, if different from the person or entity submitting the Project.
Project Description and Goals: Briefly describe the Project goals and objectives, including the background/setting for the Project and the framework or process by which the Project was developed.
Community Benefits and Lessons Learned (or Desired Outcomes):
Discuss how the Project goals were, or will be met. Describe potential or actual social, economic and/or environmental benefits that the Project addresses, above and beyond the Project’s main goals and objectives. Include public educational opportunities that may have occurred during the Project implementation or that are planned in the future.
Briefly address any lessons learned during the process that have particular application to the Kansas City region. For proposed Projects that have been designed but not yet implemented, please share targeted Project outcomes and preliminary lessons learned.
Funding Sources and Partnerships:
Briefly summarize how the Project was funded, and what, if any, public or private partners were involved in the Project development and/or implementation.
Photos or Project Designs:
Please provide no more than 3 images illustrating the Project, along with descriptive captions.
For questions regarding the Academy for Sustainble Communities or the the call for Projects please contact Tom Jacobs at 816-701-8352 or tjacobs@marc.org.
For questions regarding the submittal process please contact Eliza Waterman at 816-701-8387 or ewaterman@marc.org.
