History Of Sustainable Cincinnati

In October, 1999, the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area convened a broad range of organizations to explore the possibility of a sustainable communities indicators project. The response was positive and the Planning Group grew as members reached out to other organizations in the metropolitan area. In monthly meetings, the Planning Group investigated models of indicator projects in other areas, explored the concept of sustainability, and surveyed existing data sources and indicators being used to describe the Cincinnati area. The Planning Group agreed on a design for a Sustainable Cincinnati indicators project and the project was launched at a public forum in October, 2000. Over 55 organizations pledged to participate in the development of regional indicators and to integrate sustainability indicators into planning and decision making processes. Together, the representative from these organizations formed the Steering Committee which now provides direction and oversight for the project. To facilitate the process, the Steering Committee also elected an Executive Committee to administer the work of the Project.

In May 2001 national consultant Maureen Hart led a workshop designed to build consensus among 95 coalition representatives around an understanding of sustainable community indicators. Over the next months, public awareness of the Indicators Project increased through marketing efforts and public participation meetings held by the members of the coalition to their organizations and to the general public. These public meetings not only inform the public about sustainable community indicators and this Regional Indicators Project, but project leaders obtain important input about the major issues facing the region for which indicators need to be developed.