1. What development challenges does Pittsburgh face and how will your administration address them?

CARMEN ROBINSON: The challenges facing today’s urban planning lies in the implementation of policies and programs geared towards modifying existing urban institutions to achieve sustainability with out pushing residents out of their communities. All successful urban planning considers urban character, local identity, and respect for heritage, walk able environments, and traffic. All disciplines of urban planning should consider architecture, as well as landscape architecture because of the opportunity vacant or abandoned structures present. Another key role of urban planning is re-generation of inner cities by adapting special methods geared to deal with existing long-term infrastructural decay. We must also recognize that our current consumption and living habits may be leading to problems such as the overuse of natural resources, ecosystem destruction, urban heat islands, pollution, growing social inequality and large scale climate change.

PATRICK DOWD: The challenges facing today’s urban planning lies in the implementation of policies and programs geared towards modifying existing urban institutions to achieve sustainability with out pushing residents out of their communities. All successful urban planning considers urban character, local identity, and respect for heritage, walk able environments, and traffic. All disciplines of urban planning should consider architecture, as well as landscape architecture because of the opportunity vacant or abandoned structures present. Another key role of urban planning is re-generation of inner cities by adapting special methods geared to deal with existing long-term infrastructural decay. We must also recognize that our current consumption and living habits may be leading to problems such as the overuse of natural resources, ecosystem destruction, urban heat islands, pollution, growing social inequality and large scale climate change.

LUKE RAVENSTAHL: With billions of development and construction across the City,
Pittsburgh is a success story, attracting investment despite the economic downturn. The initiatives that I have introduced focus on taking back our neighborhoods and using the right strategies to grow as both a City and a region. Neighborhoods that have not seen investment in years now benefit from an expanded tax abatement program. Given our population loss over the years, I also realize the importance of supporting non-development strategies to revitalize our neighborhoods. This is why my administration actively partners with a collaborative group of neighborhood stakeholders to engage in public safety, greening, smart planning and capacity building strategies.

CARMEN ROBINSON: I believe in preserving Pittsburgh’s historic architecture. The trick
is balancing preservation with growth and density. It is a classic case of the conflict between preservation and economics. We can stimulate investment, create jobs and help create a greener world while protecting our heritage. Preserving and reusing our older buildings by reinvesting in our city’s existing buildings, infrastructure and communities, is essentially, sustainable development. Historical rehabilitation projects can stabilize and strengthen districts where small businesses and retail establishments are concentrated. As mayor, I will work with our local preservationists to establish a list of criteria to help us evaluate each situation objectively and on its own merits. For example, does the building have unique
architectural character not found today? Or Historic events i.e., ex. Famous Playwright’s childhood home?

PATRICK DOWD: Right now our city designated structures and districts are being neglected by a lack of staff and expertise within the Department of City Planning. Our historic structures and districts contribute to variety, vitality and interest of our neighborhoods. The city needs to play a leadership role in educating developers, small business owners and the general public about the value of our historic resources and be consistent in the way it regulates, manages and sustains these historic resources for the benefit of our residents. Given the rich inventory of historic buildings we enjoy-- incorporating the embodied energy of our historic structures into new development is an immediate sustainable practice that we can employ.

LUKE RAVENSTAHL: One of Pittsburgh’s greatest strengths is its history and
architecture and we are building off those strengths by preserving historic buildings that only a few years ago would have been destroyed. It is not a question of whether you
preserve historically significant structures or build new housing. Pittsburgh’s foundation and character is rooted in the fabric of our neighborhoods. Many times new development positively changes the perception of value, while other neighborhoods have stabilized and grown by pursuing historic preservation strategies. Historic preservation and new development are both needed and that is why my administration works with each
neighborhood to help support a revitalization strategy that works best for them. We now partner with neighborhood groups, and historic preservation groups to create those strategies.

CARMEN ROBINSON: Pittsburgh. I like older Pittsburgh as well as modern Pittsburgh but we must strike a balance. The old does not have to give way to the new. A mixture keeps parts of Pittsburgh quaint while keeping with the modern skyline view. This Mixture is eclectic and as a result, we do not grow tired of the old town “feel” which adds dept to the charm of our city.

PATRICK DOWD: Portland, Oregon is a model for what Pittsburgh’s planning and design practices can look like. With rivers through both of our cities, strong neighborhoods, elements of blight that need to be addressed and an active creative class within the city, Portland shares many similarities with Pittsburgh. Our goal should be to create complete and livable streets, like Portland’s, that are accessible to all types of transit users. A livable street is safe and conducive to transit-oriented development in the neighborhoods that surround it. As a Councilman, I have advocated for such streets in Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Highland Park. As Mayor, I will ensure that our neighborhoods all have multi-modal corridors that connect the people in the neighborhoods with the rest of the city.

LUKE RAVENSTAHL: Although Pittsburgh itself serves as a model on various fronts, I continue to review the best practices of other cities that share similar challenges and opportunities. Philadelphia is a model in the stabilization of vacant lots through land acquisition, reclamation and reuse. Philadelphia’s ability to green thousands of lots while increasing property values and reducing crime served as a model for my Green Up Pittsburgh Program. Chicago’s green building strategies and standards for public buildings serves as an inspiration for my administration and our City facilities. Plan NYC established a shared vision, goals and outcomes for New York’s sustainable future reached through an extensive community process. The incorporation of a shared vision and outcomes are essential to any planning and design practice here in Pittsburgh.



4. How will you ensure that Pittsburgh’s share of the economic stimulus money is used for long-term investment and sustainable projects?

CARMEN ROBINSON: Easy, bail out our neighborhoods, our children and invest in our safety. With our share of the stimulus, I will support small business and local entrepreneurs with tax abatements. I will provide programs that partner with the school district and other social community outlets and I will give our men and women heroes, in all entities of public safety, the tools they need. Our residents, neighborhoods and schools are the real neglected infrastructure project “that are ready to go” which President Obama was speaking about.

PATRICK DOWD: As a councilman I asked the Mayor repeatedly to work on a list of priorities for stimulus money that was focused on long-term investment and sustainable projects. This list should have had community input and been prepared well in advance of the announcement of the stimulus bill. The list is now set, and most stimulus projects are slated to begin. I would focus stimulus money on our water and sewer infrastructure and on our aging bridges. These are our top priorities.

LUKE RAVENSTAHL: Funding has been secured for critical infrastructure improvements necessary for our roads, bridges and parks. I convene department directors weekly to ensure Pittsburgh gets its fair share of stimulus funding. A particular focus is to use this funding to re-invest in our City facilities to ensure energy efficiency, save tax payer dollars and create more productive work environments. Another top priority is providing training and employment opportunities that lead to meaningful career paths for our residents. Stimulus funding is being used to double the number of positions available for youth this summer through the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program. Providing employment and educational opportunities for our youth and residents creates a brighter future for them, and a more sustainable future for Pittsburgh.