In an era when government seems remote and difficult to approach, participatory democracy may seem a hopelessly romantic notion. Yet nothing is more crucial the future of American than develop some way spurring greater citizen participation. this important book, Jeffrey Berry, Ken Portney, Thompson examine cities that have created systems neighborhood incorporated citizens in public policymaking. Through careful research analysis, authors find based participation key revitalizing democracy....

Today at least twenty-five major U.S. cities have pursued some form of sustainability initiative. Although many case studies and how-to manuals been published, there has little systematic comparison these cities' programs initiatives. In this book Kent Portney lays the theoretical groundwork for research on what works does not, why.Distinguishing basis population characteristics region his analysis, shows how use broad rubric to achieve particular political ends. Cities that take seriously,...

Over the last decade, at least 42 U.S. cities have elected to pursue sustainable programs improve their livability. Some are broad, involving smart growth efforts, and others narrowly targeted, including bicycle ridership pesticide‐reduction programs. A recurring theme in these is role of public participation shaping implementing In where idea first emerged local grassroots organizations, such as Seattle, owe existence involvement. Other taken a top‐down approach, treating sustainability...

This article explores the relationship between political and civic participation pursuit of sustainability in American cities. Some have argued that cities exhibit more participation, engagement, bridging social capital are likely to pursue policies programs designed achieve greater sustainability. Others posited alternative explanations, especially explanations related resources, socioeconomic status, economic growth. Using Social Capital Benchmark Survey cities—10 which extensive programs,...

The debate over social capital and civil society has focused largely on broad-brush assessments of participation in America what various measures involvement political life indicate about Americans. This study moves beyond general interpretations societal trends to a detailed analysis minorities city politics. Drawing data gathered from large American cities, the authors break down by neighborhood ask kinds organizations are most effective mobilizing compares Whites, Blacks, Hispanics...

Abstract. Human and hydrological systems are coupled: human activity impacts the cycle conditions can, but do not always, trigger changes in systems. Traditional modeling approaches with no feedback between typically cannot offer insight into how different patterns of natural variability or human-induced may propagate through this coupled system. Modeling human–hydrological systems, also called socio-hydrological recognizes potential for humans to transform influence behavior. However,...

Some Pieces to the Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility Siting Puzzle Understanding Dilemma: What Works and Doesn't Work in The Politics of Siting: A Dilemma Democracy State Local Efforts Correlates Public Opposition: We Know Don't About Influences on Peoples' Attitudes Toward Changes Minds Social, Cultural, Psychological Construction Opposition Normative Bases Conflict Solutions an Era NIMBY Syndrome: Risk Substitution as a Viable Alternative References Index

The challenge of meeting increasing water, energy, and food needs is linked not only to growing demands globally, but also the interdependency between these interconnected resource systems. Pressures on systems will emerge become hotspots with different characteristics, require a fresh look at challenges existing both within each their respective interfaces. Proposing solutions address must be multi-faceted need acknowledge multiple dimensions biophysical systems, players connected them....

In the modern American city, who determines environmental policy? Cities have undergone fundamental change in both their economies and populations. terms of political forces, our expectation is that across a range cities, where nonprofit groups been included or incorporated into local policymaking process, there greater commitment to protection, more extensive adoption implementation policies programs designed protect environment. To test this idea, we draw on own research combines two...

Most research into the connections between water and energy, food, food energy has been scientific technical; little examined public’s understandings of these connections. This article studies awareness nexus issues using a 2015 national public opinion survey on water–energy–food nexus. Responses from this representative sample U.S. adults are used to create “awareness measures” for elements nexus—water food—which then as independent variables investigate extent which is associated with...

Synergies are required to ensure coordination between UN agencies (on norms and indicators), Member States coherence of policy instruments) consumers perceptions safety affordability services) advance the achievement Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 6.3 which focusses on reuse wastewater. In this paper we employ theoretical insights derived from an agent-based modelling approach undertake a critical examination recent UN-WATER directive SDG advocate for improved understanding...

This paper reports on the results of a study relationship between nonprofit sector and pursuit sustainability in 13 moderate sized US cities with populations 400,000 600,000. Dividing into two groups – those that have been more serious less about adopting implementing policies, analysis survey local public officials examines differences landscape. Analysis shows are who interact organisations, likely to report presence at least one group supports city policies. Additionally, these reported...

Many cities across the United States have embraced programs aimed at achieving greater sustainability. This may seem surprising, particularly since adopting aggressive environmental protection is regarded by some as inimical to economic development. An alternative perspective that in modern city sustainability can be part of an development strategy. What largely missing from literature on sustainable cities’ policies and systematic analysis political dynamics affect support for, adoption...

This study examines the influence of observed local water scarcity on individual conservation behaviors. We examine three distinct sets dependent variables measuring behaviors that require differing levels investment. These measure no financial investment (such as shorter showers), minimal (low-flow fixtures), and larger (new appliances). use a multilevel statistical regression to determine if relationship exists between drought behavior. Our primary finding is individuals who live in...

Abstract To what degree are Chinese citizens concerned about the seriousness of global warming and climate change (GWCC) key factors that shape their concern? Drawing theoretical insights from extant literature using recent data a national representative public survey (N = 3,748) provincial environmental economic statistics, this study, first its kind, examines variations determinants GWCC concern. Our show in China, compared to other countries, average concern is relatively low, varies...

As local governments have moved toward adopting sustainability policies, there been some cases where Tea Parties emerged as aggressive and strident opponents of such changes. Looking broadly at the Party movement across United States systematically measuring its influence in urban America, we assess each chapter's capacity – ability to convert resources into meaningful political advocacy. Data is derived from surveys elites 50 cities well determining level programming these same cities....

After briefly reviewing some conceptual underpinnings of sustainable cities, this paper analyses and compares cities initiatives in 24 US cities. The central question addressed the is why seem to take sustainability more seriously than others. Numerous demographic, socioeconomic other characteristics are correlated with an Index Taking Sustainability Seriously, which a composite 34 different variables indicating whether each city engages specific programmes, policies or activities. Many...