Katherine Gajewski - Philadelphia Sustainability Office Interview Notes

Katherine Gajewski Interview by Darby Minow Smith - Philadelphia going green

limited staff and resources -> long hours

“age isn’t a factor”

Greenworks Philadelphia plan

5-county energy-efficiency program

social group of city employees: “Young-ish City Government Workers

Philly is historical, great bones

modest sized, energy-efficient row homes

extensive public transit system

low car ownership rate

9,200-acre park system

These make for a sustainable city, but 300 years ago

25% of the city is at or below poverty, there is a high level of diversity

work raises questions about opinions about sustainable cities

over 1,000 communities in the US are in non-compliance with the Clean water Act because of old sewer systems that, in heavy rain events, mix outlets of cities’ wastewater into the waterways

billion dollar plans to increase the piping and sewer systems underground so excess water can move through bigger pipes

2 billion in Philadelphia to come into compliance with the Clean Water Act with green infrastructure

variety of methods:

-green roofs

-rain gardens

-streets with porous pavement

tie between climate and departments like water

reframing work in context of climate change: absolutely

In 20 years, half the city is going to be covered in green infrastructure

smart streets

parks and open spaces

green roofs

Only 4 years into sustainability plan, rising population

Source: Katherine Gajewski Interview - Darby Minow Smith