To what extent do investment decisions made in Washington, D.C. affect the Chicago region’s economy and built environment? If we want cleaner air, ample supplies of water, and better connections between jobs, homes and transit, what changes do we need to make to the way our public investment dollars are used?

Sustainable Choices for a Greener Chicago Region, the third panel of the “Reinventing Public Investment” series, explored how federal energy, water, and land use policies have shaped decisions and development in the Chicago region and beyond. Panelists discussed opportunities to affect change in Washington, D.C. – through federal legislation on climate change mitigation, water infrastructure funding, and renewable energy – in order to spur more innovative solutions closer to home, such as the Chicago Climate Action Plan and Milwaukee’s innovative green infrastructure systems.

Panelists:
Henry Henderson, Director, Midwest Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Peter Mulvaney, Sustainable Infrastructure Administrator, City of Chicago Department of Water Management

Recorded Monday, August 17, 2009 at Chicago Architecture Foundation.