Author : Sherrie Elise Dunlap Gallagher
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 0 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (135 download)
Book Synopsis Examining Public-private Partnerships as a Funding Model for Green Infrastructure Projects in Pittsburgh's Homewood Neighborhood by : Sherrie Elise Dunlap Gallagher
Download or read book Examining Public-private Partnerships as a Funding Model for Green Infrastructure Projects in Pittsburgh's Homewood Neighborhood written by Sherrie Elise Dunlap Gallagher and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "In a time of multifaceted challenges and limited resources, it will be the strength of our partnerships at the local, state, national, and international levels that will define our success. In a time ever-divided by politics, it will be the partnerships between business, government, and residents that focus on the health and safety of people and the communities in which they live that will unite us and build resilience. These are among the many reasons I chose to examine if Public-Private Partnerships could be a funding model for green infrastructure in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Having worked in the nonprofit sector for eight years between earning my undergraduate degree and deciding to return to school full-time, I chose to pursue the dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Sustainability degree because of my experience in seeing a need for more business minds in the nonprofit and public sectors. There is also a need to work together, across the sectors, using policy, leveraging resources, and expertise to address our most pressing needs in new and creative approaches. Through my graduate studies I am gaining a greater understanding of how I can work toward being part of the solution to the vital issues facing our communities, whether that is in a nonprofit, government, or on the corporate side. I share the value of the Chatham's interdisciplinary approach in our studies as well as the community-based learning opportunities presented in courses. In a cross sector and interdisciplinary approach, we can build more resilient communities and we can meet our current needs, without compromising the sustainability or ability of future generations to meet their needs. In the Spring of 2018, I was selected to receive one of the Summer fellowships to be a part of a sustainable community partnership project headed by Dr. Iris Grossmann between Chatham University and Pittsburgh's Homewood community. On this project team, funded by Bank of America, I served as the Project Manager, and worked with Dr. Grossmann and Dr. Thomas Macagno, four fellow teammates, and primarily Operation Better Block, a community-based nonprofit organization in Homewood. I interacted with community-based organizations, attended community meetings, organized the team meetings, created a blog to document our team's progress, and researched topic areas important to the community. While I had an interest in many social justice and community development issues, it was in listening to and researching the areas of interest that informed my own research. While the topic of public-private partnerships have been of interest to me Out of this experience grew my thesis research topic, examining if public-private partnerships could be a funding model for green infrastructure projects to aid in stormwater management and flood mitigation in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood? During the summer, Operation Better Block and Homewood Children's Village shared their work being done in small-scale projects involving green infrastructure. Green Infrastructure (GI) is a more resilient, cost-effective and affordable approach to stormwater management, aiding in flood and runoff prevention (Water Environmental Federation, 2014). GI uses vegetation, soils, and other elements to restore some of the natural processes required to manage water and create healthier urban environments (Dunnett, 2007). Some GI projects include rain gardens, bioswales, permeable and semi-permeable pavements, curb cuts and bump outs, green roofs, stormwater planter, downspout planter, tree trenches, and other solutions that capture stormwater and prevent runoff and flooding (PWD, 2019). P3s could make these community improvement projects possible in low-income communities without burdening an already stressed community with additional taxes or fees. My thesis methodology includes a literature review, policy and regulation analysis, and the analysis of results of the two group workshops I developed and facilitated which included participants from all sectors and stakeholder groups who would be involved should a P3 for green infrastructure be developed and implemented in Homewood. In examining how this could be achieved, P3s were studied, as were case study examples from similar cities and neighborhoods, as well as the history of Pittsburgh's water and of the Homewood community. In this multi-pronged methodological approach, new information and insights gained were continually discussed, reflected up and used to inform the continued research and work on this topic to move ultimately towards recommendations and a framework for the needed elements to begin seeing a P3 as a viable funding model for green infrastructure. The City of Pittsburgh ,with its Office of Resilience and commitment to making the city a leader in sustainability, and with the neighborhoods already trying more green initiatives, and business wanting to move into this city, and with ongoing stormwater and flooding issues, it is an opportune time to examine public-private partnerships for funding green infrastructure. " -- Introduction
