Bloomberg Philanthropies has selected 25 cities in the United States to participate in its Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative – a three-year program designed to turbocharge cities’ efforts to leverage federal funding to proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities. The US$200 million in funding will provide support to the selected cities to pursue transformative solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors through partnerships with PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
“Tackling climate change and building stronger and more equitable cities go hand in hand,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Mayors have bold ideas for how to take on both challenges at once, and we’re looking forward to expanding our support for them.”
The cities selected to participate in the are: Akron, OH; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Buffalo, NY; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Dayton, OH; Hampton, VA; Jackson, MS; Kansas City, MO; Lansing, MI; Memphis, TN; Montgomery, AL; Nashville, TN; Newport News, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Raleigh, NC; Rochester, NY; Savannah, GA; St. Louis, MO; Oakland, CA; and Philadelphia, PA.
Each city will each receive multi-year, customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations and local stakeholders, along with the assistance of a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with up to three staff with “expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking, and project management.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate to launch this transformative initiative that offers cities a definitive solution, removing the burden of choosing between competing priorities,” said Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. “Through Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, we look forward to helping spur new funding, cultivating innovative thinking, and building capacity to support cities in addressing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and wealth inequity. With all 25 cities united in this common goal, this collaborative effort is poised to enhance the quality of life for all as we pave the way toward a more sustainable and equitable future.”