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This Chapter's...

introduction

strategy

definitions

indicators

drafting group


Sustainability Plan / Economy and Economic Development / Strategy

 goal 1   The Whole Economy
    To create an ecologically sustainable, socially just and vibrant local economy as the basis for San Francisco’s future economic prosperity, environmental health and high quality of life.

To create an economy in which all individuals have the opportunity to develop and match their talents with their productive contribution to society.
   
 goal 2   Business and Jobs
    To develop an ecologically sustainable and vibrant economy that incorporates human and environmental values into commerce.
     
 goal 3   Resource Efficiency
    To use all material and energy resources with the highest possible efficiency.

To shift to renewable energy as the ultimate basis for a sustainable economy.
     
 goal 4   The Economic Impact of Land Use
    To create land uses that are adaptable to the needs of a sustainable economy and that stimulate demand for sustainable products and services.

To achieve a developed-property base that is free of pollutants and is used in a way that maximizes San Franciscans’ quality of life and minimizes negative impacts on the environment.
     
 goal 5   Community
    To distribute sustainable economic activity and housing throughout San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

To ensure that all community groups are employed and housed.

To ensure that every neighborhood has the resources needed for a good quality of life.

To ensure that sustainable economic practices are employed in the City’s households.

To ensure that the demand for necessary goods is met by goods created using sustainable practices.
     
 goal 6   Education
    To provide the public with the skills and knowledge necessary for creating and maintaining a sustainable economy.

To create a community that understands the economic and quality-of-life benefits of sustainable development.

To maximize information about sustainable services and products.

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 goal 1  The Whole Economy
 
To create an ecologically sustainable, socially just and vibrant local economy as the basis for San Francisco’s future economic prosperity, environmental health and high quality of life.

To create an economy in which all individuals have the opportunity to develop and match their talents with their productive contribution to society.
   
   long-term objective
   
  1-A. Full-cost pricing and the polluter-pays principle are used throughout the economy in private and public-enterprise decision-making so that full social costs are reflected in economic production and consumption decisions.
     
     5-year objectives
     
    [See detailed objectives below.]
       
       actions
       
     

1-a. Establish a task force to plan for the transition to a sustainable economy, and to integrate San Francisco’s plan with the region.

1-b. Develop an action strategy to address the challenges, opportunities, roles and requirements of management in a sustainable economy.
(Action suggested for a task force of business and public-sector leaders, and management-education programs)

1-c. Create a city position to coordinate agencies and resources for the transition to a sustainable economy.

1-d. Review existing city environmental guidelines and remove obstacles to the achievement of the 5-year objectives.

1-e. Capture the economic development potential of planning and implementation of a transition to a sustainable economy by marketing the goods, services, and expertise that result.

1-f. Study the creation of local currency and credits and other methods to keep local dollars in the local economy.









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 goal 2  Business and Jobs
 
To develop an ecologically sustainable and vibrant economy that incorporates human and environmental values into commerce.
   
   long-term  Business Development
   
 

2-A. The City’s economic development efforts attract firms and jobs in industries:

  • For which San Francisco has a competitive advantage and which are poised for growth, and

  • Which are developing the new tools, products, processes and services of an ecologically sustainable economy.

2-B. The City’s economic development programs encourage and support job- training and business development in competitive industries and emerging industries that meet the needs of a ecologically sustainable economy.

2-C. Local markets are used to maximize demand for sustainable products and services.

2-D. The economy is responsible to local community and environmental justice issues.

2-E. Investment decisions take into consideration the company’s economic benefit to the local economy and the company’s avoidance of environmental degradation and risk.

2-F. Evaluation of products, processes and services is based on “life-cycle analysis.”

2-G. A substantial number of the city’s businesses are worker-owned.

     
     5-year
     
    2-1. Economic development programs have increased the number of companies and the levels of employment in the multi-media, financial services, life-sciences, and tourism industries.

2-2. Action strategies have been devised and implemented for the economic development of communities with below-average prosperity levels.

2-3. A study on the development of local markets for promoting sustainable business has been completed.

2-4. A sustainable tourism industry has been created in San Francisco (with minimized impacts on the environment and the City), which includes elements of interaction with sustainable development programs (education, green spaces, habitat restoration, and green industry practices).

2-5. Local currency and other mediums of exchange exist in San Francisco.

2-6. Most business educators are familiar with worker-ownership models. Classes are available about worker-owner models and democratic control of business.
       
       actions
       
     

2-a. Develop an action strategy to attract firms and create jobs in:

  • Industries in which the City has a competitive advantage and

  • Firms in emerging environmental industries.

Market the positive environmental features of the Bay Area to attract sustainable business.

(Action suggested for City economic development agencies)

2-b. Work together to attract businesses to the City.
(Action suggested for all city agencies)

2-c. Establish new, flexible environmental initiatives, such as “brownfield” redevelopment.

2-d. Form and fund industry associations to advance common needs and interests.
(Action suggested for local firms in emerging industries, in conjunction with city government. For example, groups such as the Environmental Media Association for the movie industry.)

2-e. Conduct a study to propose actions that will develop local markets for sustainable business. The study should produce proposals for action in the areas of city purchasing, planning, zoning, and infrastructure modification.

2-f. Set up a sustainable business incubator program (which allows for participant feedback) and inform all small businesses in the City of the program’s benefits.

2-g. Implement a strategy for the economic development of a targeted part of the community with below-average prosperity (such as the Bayview or Visitacion Valley).

2-h. Promote local entrepreneurial ventures by facilitating community development fund loans and other assistance to startup businesses.

2-i. Invest city pension funds locally.

2-j. Help employees finance house-purchase down-payments for living in San Francisco.
(Suggested for San Francisco businesses)

2-k. Create a local currency.
(Suggested for at least one neighborhood)

2-l. Encourage labor-management partnerships to improve sustainable practices, and to increase business success and effectiveness.
(Suggested for business, labor and city government)

2-m. Increase the number of businesses that reuse and repair materials and products.
(Suggested for the private sector)

2-n. Employ local residents, especially for emergency services (such as fire, police, and medicine).
(Suggested for city government)

2-o. Increase sustainable practices in the tourism and movie industries in the City.

2-p. Allow a small competitive advantage to worker-owned and cooperative businesses in municipal purchasing decisions.

2-q. Disseminate information on the benefits of worker ownership and worker cooperatives.
(Suggested for city economic development agencies)







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 goal 2  Business and Jobs
   long-term  Green Business Practices
   
  2-H. Enterprises plan strategically and make decisions that increase the demand for and production of ecologically sustainable goods and services.

2-I. San Francisco businesses utilize sustainable business practices.
     
     5-year
     
   

2-7. Sustainable development criteria, including “ISO 14000” standards and green business ratings, have been established by the City.

2-8. Financial incentives for sustainable businesses (and those that perform voluntary ISO 14000 audits) have been established, along with incentives for compliance and penalties and non-compliance with City sustainability criteria.

2-9. A peer-review process for the implementation of green business standards for government and business organizations has been established.

2-10. The number of enterprises pursuing ISO 14000 certification has increased, and some public and private-sector enterprises have become ISO 14000-certified.

2-11. The percentage of small businesses that utilize sustainable business practices has increased.

       
       actions
       
      2-r. Promote sustainable business practices collaboratively between businesses, non-profit organizations, and government through education and compliance assistance (in preference to traditional approaches of inspection and enforcement).

2-s. Reward organizations that correct problems found in environmental audits (other than problems that are appropriately addressed with legal action).

2-t. Research and promote the benefits of adopting ISO 14000 standards.

2-u. Present and publicize awards for sustainable businesses, neighborhoods, city agencies, and community leaders. Also publicize “awards” for the worst environmental performance.






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 goal 2  Business and Jobs
   long-term  Employment
   
  2-J. Local business employs San Francisco residents as a priority.

2-K. Flexible conditions of employment and benefits allow individuals to more effectively handle job, personal, and family time and to reduce environmental impacts associated with working, such as transit energy use.

2-L. Neighborhood-level services are available to support sustainable economic community and neighborhood development throughout the City. Labor and capital for these services are provided by local residents where possible.

2-M. Organized labor develops and implements policies and strategies that address the needs of labor and business in a sustainable economy, adding issues like flexible work-time schedules and day-care to their traditional employment concerns.
     
     5-year
     
   

2-12. The percentage of service-industry employees who are San Francisco residents has increased.

2-13. Employment flexibility (work hours, work at home, and time allowances for the use of public transportation) has increased.

2-14. Sustainable jobs have increased through:

  • A reduction in unemployment,

  • An increase in youth employment, and

  • An increase in the number of retired people acting as mentors to youth.

2-15. Organized labor has modified its strategies for labor organizing and bargaining to base them on the conditions of a sustainable economy.

2-16. One neighborhood program per year has been established that manages neighborhood projects and employs local workers.

2-17. Apprenticeship programs have been established in secondary-materials manufacturing and other more sustainable industries, such as solar cell manufacturing and production of alternative vehicles.

       
       actions
       
     

2-v. Collaborate to assess the workforce needs of sustainable industries to design more effective curricula for the City’s institutions of higher education.
(Action suggested for business and educational institutions)

2-w. Market the positive environmental features of the Bay Area to train and maintain a work force that meets the needs of Bay Area businesses.

2-x. Act as a role model by:

  • Using only local contractors where possible for all services, and

  • Using and providing incentive programs for flexible employment practices.

(Suggested for city government)

2-y. Establish a program that manages neighborhood projects and employs neighborhood residents.








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 goal 3  Resource Efficiency
 
To use all material and energy resources with the highest possible efficiency.

To shift to renewable energy as the ultimate basis for a sustainable economy.
   
   long-term
   
  3-A. Full circulation of resources and maximum energy conservation has been achieved.

3-B. Waste brokerages serve city and regional businesses and government enterprises.

3-C. Nearly all of San Francisco’s waste stream is diverted toward reuse, recycling and related businesses that produce value from discards, and remain in the City.

3-D. Renewable energy is the City’s only substantial energy source.

3-E. Contracts, grants, and procurement specifications give preference to contractors, grantees and vendors who provide renewable-energy technology, or use it in the operation of their business.

3-F. City zoning supports alternative energy production and use.
     
     5-year
     
   

3-1. A waste exchange has been created among city agencies for solid waste, wastewater, office furniture, computers, and other materials.

3-2. The recycled content of commercial products purchased in the City has been increased to improve demand for recycled products, leading to job creation in the recycling industry.

3-3. The percentage of post-consumer recycled content in office paper purchased in the City has reached 65%.

3-4. The percentage of materials salvaged from the waste stream has increased.

3-5. Through the use of recycling-market development zoning, jobs and businesses in secondary-materials manufacturing have significantly increased.

3-6. Development of renewable energy sources has been expanded.

       
       actions
       
      3-a. Switch to an “industrial ecology” approach for industry and government planning.

3-b. Research advances in materials processing to develop new strategies for resource recovery (for instance, textile-scrap uses).
(Action suggested for businesses and universities)

3-c. Recruit San Francisco manufacturers that can use as raw material by-products from city industries.

3-d. Act as a role model by committing to maximizing 100% recycled or reused material in all types of purchases (such as cars, building materials, and office and maintenance supplies).
(Action suggested for city government)

3-e. Lobby state and federal governments to create “
labeling and packaging guidelines” that follow leading-edge industry, product and international standards.

3-f. Provide no-cost or low-cost space at Hunter’s Point and Treasure Island for sustainable industries such as waste-brokering.

3-g. Create apprenticeship programs targeting secondary-materials manufacturing.








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 goal 4  The Economic Impact of Land Use
 
To create land uses that are adaptable to the needs of a sustainable economy and that stimulate demand for sustainable products and services.

To achieve a developed-property base that is free of pollutants and is used in a way that maximizes San Franciscans’ quality of life and minimizes negative impacts on the environment.
   
   long-term
   
 

4-A. Economic incentives and disincentives have worked with an educated community to create sustainable development.

4-B. Sustainable use of underutilized and contaminated properties has been achieved through environmental restoration and redevelopment.

4-C. Land use planning and development regulations, management processes, and enforcement mechanisms maintain a sustainable economy.

4-D. Substantial unpaid costs of development have been eliminated.

4-E. “Community-based planning” is used in every neighborhood of the City (with oversight from the Planning Commission).

4-F. Green building, planning, and development are widespread.

4-G. San Francisco’s transportation system has been made resource- and cost-efficient and integrates modes appropriate to the scale of travel, fully accommodating pedestrians, public transit, bicycles and electric vehicles.

4-H. Zoning that is based on a consideration of the environmental impact of land use has been established.

4-I. Development projects include mitigation of environmental impacts on-site as part of project costs.

4-J. Industrial and commercial facilities are reused, when possible, rather than demolished and rebuilt.

4-K. A post-disaster earthquake land-use and redevelopment plan is in effect that specifies appropriate reuse for devastated areas and contains an effective implementing mechanism for controlling rebuilding.

     
     5-year
     
   

4-1. The City’s planning and development implementing tools (the master plan, zoning code, California Environmental Quality Act implementation guidelines, and redevelopment policies) have been revised to:

  • Eliminate barriers to and stimulate demand for sustainable land-use patterns,

  • Develop and incorporate green planning and building standards,

  • Promote neighborhood services and community-based business and job development, and

  • Support mixed-use development of home businesses, commercial enterprises, and appropriate industry.

4-2. A complete portfolio of development impact fees and other mechanisms to eliminate substantial unpaid costs of development has been prepared.

4-3. A program to institute community-based planning (with oversight from the Planning Commission) in every neighborhood of the City is underway.

4-4. A plan for a resource- and cost-efficient, integrated, multi-modal transportation system is being implemented.

4-5. The development-permitting and compliance process has been streamlined, thereby minimizing the financial and time burdens on local businesses and improving economic productivity and efficiency.

4-6. Development policies for including environmental impact mitigation on-site (such as the life-cycle analysis standards developed by the American Institute of Architects or the Green Building Council) have been developed.

4-7. Green building standards for city zoning, planning, and building have been developed.

4-8. A city-wide system for expanding and protecting open space has been created.

       
       actions
       
     

4-a. Implement a pilot project demonstrating environmentally sustainable, community-based development.

4-b. Expand the open-space maintenance fund by moving some revenues from road maintenance and by soliciting business and community donations.

4-c. Convert some paved areas such as streets and abandoned lots to green spaces.

4-d. Build roof-top gardens, urban farms, and urban gardens.

4-e. Consider sustainable development zones which allow uses previously excluded (such as home businesses that ship and receive goods without unreasonable interference).

4-f. Develop zoning policies that are based on a consideration of the environmental impact of land use, and test them in a small area of the City.

4-g. Limit access by gasoline-powered vehicles to designated streets to allow greater access by bicyclists and pedestrians.

4-h. Investigate and emulate existing green building programs, such as that developed by the City of Austin, Texas.

4-i. Revise redevelopment policies and programs to incorporate concepts of sustainability.

4-j. Restore several under-used or contaminated areas, such as Port of San Francisco properties, to natural habitat.

4-k. Redevelop under-used or contaminated properties using sustainable development land- use principles.

4-l. Study the elimination of hidden and unpaid costs of development, including:

  • Modeling the economic and land-use implications of various policy-change options and

  • Recommending methods for enacting proposed changes.

(Action suggested for a government-university task force)

4-m. Streamline development permitting and compliance.

4-n. Complete a pilot redevelopment project based on the principles of sustainable development.










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 goal 5  Community
 
To distribute sustainable economic activity and housing throughout San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

To ensure that all community groups are employed and housed.

To ensure that every neighborhood has the resources needed for a good quality of life.

To ensure that sustainable economic practices are employed in the City’s households.

To ensure that the demand for necessary goods is met by goods created using sustainable practices.
   
   long-term
   
 

5-A. The benefits of a vibrant economy are accessible and equitably shared among all neighborhoods.

5-B. The City’s housing is efficient, attractive, and affordable to residents, with neighborhood land use based on human-scale and mixed-use planning principles.

5-C. Every neighborhood has enough open and green space.

5-D. Public transit provides residents in all neighborhoods equitable access to work and services.

5-E. Housing that promotes shared resources, including co-housing and group houses, is common throughout the City.

5-F. Planning and economic decisions are made primarily through neighborhood boards in all neighborhoods.

5-G. “Sustainability resource centers” have been established in each neighborhood.

5-H. The City’s residents manage their households with products and services that:

  • Are produced in an ecologically sustainable manner,

  • Maximize recycling,

  • Minimize energy use,

  • Minimize toxic use, and

  • Eliminate the release of toxic material into the environment.

5-I. San Francisco’s large senior population is involved in multiple aspects of the community and the economy.

     
     5-year
     
   

5-1. Mixed-use, efficient, attractive, human-scale, affordable housing has been increased.

5-2. The amount of open and green spaces in neighborhoods has been increased, along with the number of people employed in their maintenance.

5-3. A citywide network of neighborhood boards has been established.

5-4. The percentage of local contractors and minority- and woman-owned businesses working on publicly funded projects has increased.

5-5. Five co-housing projects have been built in the city, with at least 30% of their units affordable.

5-6. Recycling and composting centers employing local residents have been established in numerous locations accessible to all neighborhoods.

5-7. Two neighborhood sustainability resource centers have been established.

5-8. The number of federal enterprise zones has been increased to seven.

5-9. Household retrofits to reduce water and energy use have increased.

5-10. Purchase of green products and services has increased.

       
       actions
       
     

5-a. Use the approach described in the master plan to improve the City’s housing stock.

5-b. Give priority to city residents with the highest need for employment when recruiting for employment opportunities in green space maintenance.

5-c. Establish neighborhood boards, which:

  • Have a voice in planning decisions affecting their neighborhoods, and

  • Create small-scale actions and programs for strengthening their neighborhood economies.

5-d. Determine the adequacy and distribution of transit service with respect to the needs of San Francisco’s population.

5-e. Create tax incentives for owners of lots suitable for gardens to create more garden projects targeting the disadvantaged for employment.

5-f. Fund one new project per neighborhood per year to create useful employment for local youth and elderly, homeless, rehabilitated and disabled people. These projects would be managed by the neighborhood boards and could be funded through such sources as the new environment department or federal or state block grants.

5-g. Implement programs to strengthen local cultural and ethnic activities.

5-h. Create neighborhood sustainability resource centers and support similar projects now underway, such as that of the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council.

5-i. Build an affordable co-housing project.
(Action suggested for city government and one of the non-profit housing developers)

5-j. Provide incentives and implement other strategies to attract businesses that provide basic services (such as shopping, banking, laundry, and food service) to under-served (mostly low-income) neighborhoods.

5-k. Increase neighborhood activities that enhance community sustainability, such as tree planting, building reuse, garden projects, and community events, and coordinate them through the sustainability resource centers.

5-l. Provide information, education, and resource support to worker-owned businesses.

5-m. Use incentives to encourage San Francisco residency for city employees.
(Suggested for city government)









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 goal 6  Education
 
To provide the public with the skills and knowledge necessary for creating and maintaining a sustainable economy.

To create a community that understands the economic and quality-of-life benefits of sustainable development.

To maximize information about sustainable services and products.
   
   long-term
   
 

6-A. The knowledge necessary to maintain a sustainable society is effectively communicated by:

  • Educational mechanisms, such as schools and public media, and

  • Communications professionals, such as journalists, editors and writers.

6-B. An educated work force attracts knowledge-based industries to San Francisco.

6-C. High-school graduates are employable, and curricula prepares students for jobs and careers in a sustainable economy.

6-D. Public-private partnerships develop general and applied curricula for an ecologically sustainable economy.

     
     5-year