Descriptive Project Examples

CivicSpark projects are generally those that can be completed remotely and are of a scale and type that can be implemented without deep technical expertise. The following scenarios illustrate how CivicSpark might work with local governments on specific projects.

  • Scenario 1: A city wants to align its implementation activities with the recently released SB375 Sustainable Community Strategy; however, it does not have a good picture of infill sites located near transit hubs. The CivicSpark team can identify infill sites and map them in relation to local transit hubs. They can then work with volunteers from a local college to do community surveys gathering information about resident perspectives.
  • Scenario 2: A town wants to get involved with the national Safe Routes to School program. The CivicSpark team can reach out to school districts and help the community develop an implementation plan that includes community meetings, mapping of possible routes, trainings for parent volunteers, and a timeline for the program’s rollout. This plan is then shared with staff and school district representatives through a series of public workshops.
  • Scenario 3: A city that developed its Climate Action Plan more than two years ago is now ready to assess its progress. The CivicSpark team can work with the city to update the greenhouse gas inventory, document implementation outcomes and calculate emissions reductions and analyze progress.

Project Examples

Each of the following examples highlights a continuum of related projects – from research to planning to implementation organized by the type of need.

Climate Change

Research

Researching local climate change impacts

Evaluating local vulnerability to extreme heat

Researching anticipated local health impacts on climate change

Planning

Localizing a Community Climate Action Plan Template

Using the APG to create a local adaptation plan for heat management

Working with health departments on integration of health considerations into climate action plan

Implementation

Supporting rollout of a common Climate Action Plan strategy for a region

Tracking metrics to monitor and evaluate progress on extreme heat responses.

Piloting a community health initiative around climate change and public health.

Energy Efficiency and Renewables

Research

Benchmarking local building energy use

Researching water‐energy nexus models

Identifying solar-ready sites

Planning

Creating an outreach and engagement plan for building owners about available energy efficiency programs

Developing a water conservation permit streamlining plan

Localizing a renewable energy action plan

Implementation

Helping to coordinate a business energy efficiency direct install program

Piloting a residential water conservation incentive program

Engaging local governments in a bulk purchasing program for solar

Sustainable Communities

Research

Inventorying current school route conditions

Analyzing infill/mixed use development sites to inform SCS strategy development

Analyzing ZEV infrastructure needs in a region

Researching the fiscal, environmental, health, land impacts of proposed development scenarios

Planning

Creating a Safe Routes to School Improvement Plan

Working with stakeholders to integrate SCS strategies into local plans

Supporting ZEV readiness planning: by incorporating ZEV’s into general plans, zoning and building codes

Creating template staff reports on fiscal impacts

Implementation

Coordinating implementation of a Safe Routes to School Improvement Plan in a specific district

Coordinating implementation of common sustainable communities strategies in a region

Organizing the launch of an electric vehicle charging station pilot program

Building an engagement program for community stakeholders on fiscal impacts of climate change.

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