Sustainability is a unified policy approach to making our society more environmentally sensitive and enhancing its ability to meet the challenges of population and economic growth in a responsible fashion. Urban policy makers should learn to encourage growth in an intelligent and well planned manner that improves the environment. Sustainability policies provide the key to marrying economic growth with environmental protection.

Yonkers has already demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development by joining the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives. Creating a truly sustainable city, however, requires a comprehensive approach to policy making. The city should embrace the principles of sustainable development and environmental consciousness articulated below and develop a series of regulations and policies spanning the entire range of government activities.

In order to implement this agenda and other sustainability activities currently being contemplated by the city,
Yonkers should:

• Establish an Office of Sustainability that would be legally mandated to develop and implement a comprehensive sustainability agenda. This office should be required to assist in coordinating and developing the sustainability policies of a wide array of city agencies, including the Departments of Downtown and Waterfront Development, Economic Development, Housing and Buildings, Planning, Emergency Management, Parks, Purchasing and Public Works.

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