“From Dubuque, Iowa, to Austin, Texas: Becoming Sustainable with Measured, Repeatable Results.” Dubuque, Austin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, are among the examples cited in a presentation by ICMA at the Future Cities conference in Dubai, UAE, September 21-23, 2014.

Laura Hagg, director of Middle East and Africa programs for ICMA International, joins speakers representing municipal governments, sustainability organizations, and the private sector from the Middle East, North Africa, India, and the United States. Ms. Hagg’s presentation outlines the “three pillars” of sustainability—economy, environment, and society—drawing on programs from the three cities and the work of ICMA’s Center for Sustainable Communities.

Dubuque, for example, set out to conserve water and engage citizens by launching a Smarter Water Program in partnership with IBM. The city measured the results of its initiatives and documented a reduction in usage, an increase in detection and repair of leaks, reduced water treatment costs, and increased revenues. The program was replicated in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, and won a national award. It was also adapted in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Minneapolis partnered with St. Paul to engage a university and nonprofit and private-sector organizations in a “Thinc.Green ^MSP” program to create green jobs. Steps included an ordinance to encourage greener buildings, a “kilowatt crackdown,” green procurement, and a regional export initiative. Results included a significant energy savings, new markets for Minnesota-based companies, and new green business in the region.

Austin established a climate action plan, a sustainability app, and a Green Business Leaders program. As a result, the city reduced its carbon footprint significantly (the goal is to be carbon neutral by 2050), supplied 100% of power for municipal buildings from renewable sources, and improved air quality.

Common threads among the programs were (1) citizen engagement; (2) measurement and reporting; and (3) support from the community, its elected leadership, and the business community.

The Future Cities conference (#futurecities) is organized by Dubai Municipality, Environmental Center for Arab Towns, the Arab Towns Organisation, and Informa Exhibitions. As part of Cityscape Global, a real estate event that attracted 28,000 visitors last year, it explores Dubai's position on the global stage, as well as that of other key cities.

To learn more about ICMA’s international programs and activities, visit the website or e-mail international@icma.org.