TURNING TOWARD GREEN PRACTICES: THE KANSAS CITY MODEL

This abstract, “Turning Toward Green Practices: The Kansas City Model,” describes steps taken to position Kansas City Missouri to create a “green ethic” throughout its decision-making and implementation processes, both within city government departments and the private sector.The manuscript begins by recounting the early challenges and accomplishments of Kansas City's first “greening” movement, the creation of the City's parks and boulevards system in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The major contributing factors of the City's first, “city-changing” period are compared and contrasted with the City's Wet Weather Solutions Program of today. The manuscript provides a candid report on the City's accomplishments to date, and some of the challenges Kansas City faces in making green solutions an integral part of the City's current and future landscape.