The city of Philadelphia recently received the Siemens Sustainable Community Award for its sustainability plan aimed at improving environmental stewardship and converting the old industrial city into a clean-technology hub.
The plan edged out sustainability efforts made by a more modern city - Dallas - in a national contest organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The award highlights successful public-private partnerships and showcases national models for sustainable development.
Click here to see the full sustainability plan
Some of the projects the city of Philadelphia will fund with federal energy-efficiency grants and matching money:
Bicycle parking: Install 2,600 bike racks
Traffic lights: Provide 85,000 signals with LED lights
Water treatment: Develop solar pollution control
Litter baskets: Install 260 solar compacting baskets, and 115 on-street recycling units
Loans: Offer to industrial sites for building retrofits
Source: City of Philadelphia