Jun 24 2012
At its Rio+20 conference in Rio de Janeiro, the United Nations launched its newest worldwide initiative focused on sustainability solutions and sustainable cities. International sustainability legend Gro Harlem Brundtland, media guru and philanthropist Ted Turner, EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard, and 150 VIP guests celebrated the launch of "Sustainia100" by naming 100 world leading projects and undertakings. Among the named winners of this prestigious global honor is Chicago Lakeside, a development on the southeast side of Chicago, IL.
Led by the Chicago development firm McCaffery Interests, Inc., Chicago Lakeside is a master-planned, 600-acre mixed-use development in Chicago located on the former U.S. Steel South Works site. The development will serve to be the catalyst for the rebuilding of the southeast lakefront of Chicago and its surrounding environs. When complete, this new master-planned community will provide a new way of living based on 21st century infrastructure and technologies.
Plans include over 15,000 residential units and more than 15 million SF of retail restaurants, commercial, institutional and research and development facilities. This mix of uses is integrated with robust solutions for advanced clean energy technologies, excellent access to transportation, compact neighborhoods, and innovations in water stewardship -- all distributed through an intelligent ICT network.
Hearing of this prestigious recognition from Sustainia, Chicago Mayor Emanuel congratulated McCaffery Interests and Chicago Lakeside Development and said,
"Creating a sustainable, multi-use community on the southeast lakefront of Chicago will provide huge economic impact in the area, creating important jobs and opportunity on the South Side. I commend all involved in the Lakeside project for their long-term commitment to this effort and the growth of Chicago."
Embraced by 56 countries spread over six continents, Sustainia100 is a complete guide to innovative and scalable solutions instrumental in creating sustainable societies. Building on readily available solutions, Sustainia100 is designed as a tangible tool for sustainability professionals -- from politicians to CEOs -- dedicated to create desirable and sustainable societies.
"I am very excited and inspired by this as it makes it absolutely clear that our mission is possible. That we do have the ammunition we need to tackle this challenge. That we have what it takes to create fun and attractive societies without destroying our planet" says Arnold Schwarzenegger, Honorary Chair of Sustainia.
Individually, the solutions represent sustainable innovation in areas such as city planning, energy, water and waste management, high-tech and transportation. Collectively, they provide a guide of the building blocks available for transforming our societies.
Speaking about the prestige and honor of the Sustainia100 recognition, McCaffery Interests' Founder, Chairman and CEO Daniel McCaffery said, "McCaffery Interests is proud of the partnership it has worked to create between Chicago Lakeside, U.S. Steel and the City of Chicago under the leadership of Mayor Emanuel. The collaboration between the city and our international team of experts is unprecedented. I am thrilled that this new way of thinking builds on Chicago's already strong reputation as a leader in green-tech, clean-tech solutions."
Sustainia100 solutions are developed by leading companies, organizations and experts in close collaboration with UN Global Compact and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's initiative Regions20, Sustainia is the first holistic introduction to the attractive sustainable future. Sustainia100 solutions are nominees for the Sustainia Award, which honours outstanding performance within the sustainability community. The winner will be announced at a ceremony later this year in Copenhagen.