Energy Policies & Partnerships in the Americas

Key Points from the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas Urban Planning Initiative about President Obama's recent trip to Latin America:


As the Obama family boarded a plane bound for Brasilia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton noted the importance of this trip in an address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.


Latin America plays a crucial role in United States energy policy. Latin America provides one-third of U.S. oil imports, and Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas in transitioning to a clean-energy economy.


Mexico City has proven itself as a global leader, setting ambitious targets in its Plan Verde. Last week, the government announced a new Web-based system that will allow the city to better track its progress towards achieving the goal to cut emissions by 12 percent by 2012 (relative to 2008 levels).


In addition, Green Futures recently reported that the Dominican Republic, with a goal to draw 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, will open three new wind farms in 2011. 


“The Future Climate for Development,” a report from Forum for the Future, the organization that produces Green Futures, highlights the tremendous opportunities that climate-resilient development provides in Latin America.


The U.S.-Chile Energy Business Council, a partnership with a mission to develop clean energy infrastructure, improve energy infrastructure resiliency, and incorporate renewable, efficient energy in industry, transportation, and construction. A priority of this partnership will be to prepare energy infrastructure for the impacts of natural disasters. 


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Zoning As We Use It Today In NYC

"Zoning has also become a sophisticated public-policy tool, helping to preserve iconic structures...supporting retail corridors...protecting topography...and opening up access to the waterfront across the city." 

Vin Cipolla 

President of The Municipal Art Society of New York

Over the past 50 years, since 1961 since New York City's second zoning resolution the City and zoning has changed a lot. More than 900 pages have been added, including 41 residential zoning districts, 85 commercial districts and 43 special districts. 

Check out Vin Cipolla's article in Crain's: "Revamp rezoning for city's new age"

Roma on my mind...

back on the Manhattan grid...missing my strolls down the organic urban maze of Roma...