1/21/10 - Innovative cities: Building the municipal eco-system to support sustainable solutions

Session by Anna Raksany, Springboard Innovation

Innovative Cities (IC) - model for cities to work toward and be replicated in other cities

Resource for people who are trying to create change and do things differently

How can business and social change intersect?

Any business can always be more sustainable and improve in small increments in all sectors

IC has 8 elements

IC works with businesses, nonprofits, schools, and City of Portland

Examples of resources: IC = user-generated content
 * Life By Design NW - works with those in the encore generation looking for a new career path that is more community engaged
 * ShoreBank Pacific - has a scientist that meets with all clients to consult with them on sustainability

Cities can look at IC and self-asses and see what gaps exist.

How do we get actual behavioral changes from this initiative?

IC is designed with the hope that there is a sub-focus on cutting edge and doing things differently

IC isn't just a list, it's about learning.

IS will have city champions - volunteers who really support IC and champion getting the really great organizations listed on IC - will decide who is listed on IC so that the right information is there

Is IC passive? Sounds like more of an inventory - what drives this? What do we do to actually engage in each of the 8 elements?

How do we get off the page and get people to meet and talk face to face about sustainability?

How does this go beyond self-promotion?

Supportland.com - local currency to generate local business, will launch in March

Can there be a champion for each element?