Government Communications
Philadelphia v. Freiburg: A Comparison
Government plays a vital role in communicating sustainability information and plans. How they chose to communicate and portray themselves is important because they have the potential for generating widespread public engagement as well as concrete change. A shift towards sustainability is necessary, and the ability of governments to not only make that transition smoothly, but do so in a way that engages and informs the public will be vital for meeting the needs of residents. This project focuses on Freiburg, Germany and the City of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Comparing local government communication strategies will show the impacts and potential each community has for change.
On the surface, Freiburg and Philadelphia are very different. Looking at population, average age, cost of living, and income, the two cities are very different. It is also important to note the differences in grant aid and collaborations with NGOs and small coalitions. Coalitions and partnerships involving local governments and NGOs are a good method for providing support in the absence of grants and other forms of funding because groups can share publicity and outreach materials as well as financial burdens. This is especially important for Philadelphia because they are reliant on grants and federal aid for the majority of their projects.
Philadelphia
Freiburg
How mights these differences effect communication strategies?
Philadelphia Strategies
From its early reputation as a world leader in industry and innovation to its history of racism, injustice, and economic inequality, Philadelphia has a lot of history to work with. The city acknowledges this history in their Greenworks plan overseen by the city’s Office of Sustainability. This plan lays out goals and a timeline for a just transition into a more sustainable future with the hopes of making it the greenest city in the U.S.. The plan is easily accessible on the city’s website as well as an annual magazine that it available in print or on the website that provide updates on individual projects and the Greenworks plan as a whole. There are many instances of community engagement from public forums to information meetings, as well as contests such as the ability to name the city’s Solar project.
Coalitions & Partnerships:
Fund Our Facilities Coalition: Philadelphia government officials and union members working together to update public schools and address the environmental hazards associated with them (Maiorano 2019)
Climate Mayors: U.S. mayors working together on issues of climate change in an effort to provide more pressure on federal government (Climate Mayors)
Urban Waters Federal Partnership: A project fronted by the EPA and supported by many federal and non-federal entities that promote the protection and revitalization of water bodies such as the Delaware River (Urban Waters Partnership)
Freiburg Strategies
Freiburg established its commitment to environmental protection in the 1970s when they protested and ultimately halted the development of a nuclear power plant in their region. From there, many of the participants worked together to grow Freiburg into the green city powerhouse that it is today. The government supports and promotes this image very publicly. Their sustainable development plans, environmental policy and upcoming projects are displayed in several language options on the local government’s website. Another vital aspect of its communication strategy is its promotion of community input and involvement. There are many town hall meetings that are vital to shaping any projects the city has planned.
Coalitions & Partnerships
ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability): An international network of local and regional governments working towards sustainable development
International Solar Energy Society (Thorpe): A society promoting solar energy research and innovation
City Mayors Foundation (Thorpe ): An international group that promotes strong local government
