by KYW’s Mike Dunn
A new national study praises Philadelphia as among the cities most likely to fare well in the face of a huge crisis, natural or man-made.
The web site SustainLane.com ranked 50 US cities in 12 categories -- from local food production to energy alternatives -- gauging the ability of these cities to become self sustaining in the wake of a disaster.
Philadelphia was ranked 14th last year, but in the 2006 study it comes out as 4th -- and #1 among east coast cities.
Research director Warren Karlenzig:
“Philadelphia is really putting its shoulder to some of these problems, it seems. There are collaborative groups in the city that are working together. I think it’s a phenomenal story and one that Philadelphia should be proud of.”
Philadelphia was particularly praised for a large number of farmers' markets and community gardens, and for a mass transit system that is extensive compared to many cities.
Above Philadelphia on the list of sustainable cities were Portland, Oregon; San Francisco; and Seattle.