The Guide to Greening Cities

Parzen, Julia,Nicholas, Steven S.,Johnston, Sadhu Aufochs

ISBN 10: 1610913795 / ISBN 13: 9781610913799

Published by Island Press, 2013

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Guide to Greening Cities
• Publisher: Island Press
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1610913795
• ISBN 13: 9781610913799
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Cities are on the front lines of climate change, increasingly called upon to protect people, infrastructure, and natural systems in the face of rising risks. The Guide to Greening Cities captures how municipal leaders across North America are reshaping urban environments—making sustainability a core strategy rather than an afterthought. Drawing from direct experience in city governments, authors Sadhu Johnston, Steven Nicholas, and Julia Parzen show what it takes to move bold climate and equity goals from vision to action.

Through case studies and candid interviews with officials from cities like San Antonio, Vancouver, and Minneapolis, the book uncovers the strategies behind effective green programs—from rethinking city operations to securing funding, navigating political shifts, and building long-lasting partnerships. Readers see how cities overcome common roadblocks like fiscal constraints and changes in leadership while still advancing ambitious climate, justice, and public health initiatives.

Designed for professionals and students alike, this guide offers proven insights into how cities can lead through example, activate communities, and institutionalize sustainability across departments. Whether you're in city hall, a nonprofit, or the classroom, The Guide to Greening Cities provides the tools to build greener, more resilient cities—rooted in real-world challenges and grounded in what actually works.

About the Authors

Sadhu Aufochs Johnston currently serves as Deputy City Manager for the City of Vancouver, Canada. He co-founded the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) with Julia Parzen and led Chicago’s green initiatives under Mayor Daley as Commissioner of the Department of Environment and in the Mayor’s office as the Chief Environmental Officer.


Steven S. Nicholas is Vice President for US Programs at the Institute for Sustainable Communities in Vermont, former Sustainability Director for the City of Seattle and co-founder of Sustainable Seattle.


Julia Parzen is the Coordinator of the USDN and has led sustainability initiatives in local, state and federal government, including the development of the Chicago Climate Action Plan.