Securites and Ecologies Commission (SEC)
Philadelphia Ecodevelopment Indicators
by Paul Glover
These INDICATORS of local economic health provide a specific formula for assigning numeric values to the increase or decline of sustainable local economy. Valuations are weighted relative to one another according to long-range communitywide impact. They are constantly adjusted, by the Securities and Ecologies Commission (SEC) to create a more full and balanced portrait of Philadelphia's economy. The SEC database plugs in the numbers, calculates values, subtotals, and the total (base 100). Raw data are obtained by regular arrangements with relevant agencies or through FOIA. Some are fixed infrastructure calculations; others change monthly, quarterly, semiannually, annually, or decenially. Best estimates, with explicit guidelines, may be sufficient.
| TRANSPORTATION | |
|---|---|
| Reliance on autos depletes local economy, degrades environment, reduces public health. | |
| +1 | for every 300 reduction of traffic accidents, annual |
| -1 | for every 300 increase of traffic accidents, annual |
| +1 | for every 5% seasonal increase in SEPTA ridership |
| -1 | for every 5% seasonal decrease in SEPTA ridership |
| +1 | for every 5,000 passenger increase in regional/national bus arrivals/departures, annually |
| -1 | for every 5,000 passenger decrease in regional/national bus arrivals/departures, annually |
| +1 | for every 5% decrease of Philadelphia vehicle registration per capita |
| -1 | for every 5% increase of Philadelphia vehicle registration per capita |
| -1 | for every 1,000,000 vehicles /month on Route 76 at Ford Road |
| -1 | for every 700,000 vehicles /month on Route 1 at Route 611 |
| +1 | for every 100,000 vehicles /month reduced on Route 76 at Ford Road |
| +1 | for every 200,000 vehicles /month reduced on Route 1 at Route 611 |
| +1 | for every 5 miles of bike lanes |
| +1 | for every mile of bike paths |
| +5 | for every mile of fixed rail trolley |
| FOOD | |
| Secure regional food production insulates us from disruption of imports, price shocks, and toxic content | |
| +1 | for every 2 acres of active organic garden within Philadelphia |
| +1 | for every acre of organic orchard within Philadelphia |
| +1 | for every 200 subscribers to Community Supported Agriculture farms (CSAs) within 60 miles |
| +1 | for every 1,000 members of food cooperatives |
| +1 | for every 10 farms within 80 miles selling at Farmers' Markets |
| +1 | for every 10 Farmers' Markets whose farmers are located within 80 miles |
| +1 | for every 20 restaurants purchasing from farms within 80 miles |
| +1 | for every 5% increase of harvest of wheat and corn, average annually, within a 200 mile radius |
| -1 | for every 5% decrease of harvest of wheat and corn, average annually, within a 200 mile radius |
| +1 | for every 1,000 quarts /day capacity of nonprofit community cannery relying on 60-mile radius |
| +2 | for every 1,000 pounds from nonprofit community pasteria relying on 150-mile radius |
| +1 | for every 1,000 quarts output of nonprofit community cannery |
| RAINFALL | |
| The foundation of businesses, homes, and farms. Without sufficient rain, we'd all leave Philadelphia. | |
| +1 | for every month within 10% of 1880-1980 average |
| -1 | for every month >10% below 1880-1980 average |
| +10 | for every month 10-24% above 1880-1980 average when preceded by month 10-24% below average |
| -1 | for every month 10-24% below 1880-1980 average when preceded by month 10-24% below average |
| +10 | for every month >25% above 1880-1980 average following one month >25% below average |
| +10 | for every month >25% above 1880-1980 average following two consecutive months 10-24% below average |
| -10 | for every month >25% below 1880-1980 average when preceded by one month >25% below average |
| +10 | for any four months consecutive 10-15% above 1880-1980 average |
| -10 | for any four months consecutive >10% below 1880-1980 average |
| WATER QUALITY | |
| Humans are 90% water. | |
| +1 | for every 5 acres green roof installed |
| +1 | for every 5 acres abandoned parking lot depaved |
| +1 | for every expansion of wetland by 10,000 square feet |
| -1 | for every reduction of wetland by 5,000 square feet |
| -1 | for every 250,000 gallons per year bottled water sold |
| +1 | for every 20 abandoned underground fuel storage tanks removed |
| -1 | for every 20 abandoned underground fuel storage tanks remaining |
| -1 | for every 10 miles of combined sewer |
| -1 | for every sewer overflow episode |
| +1 | for every 500 compost toilets |
| -1 | for every 100,000 flush toilets |
| SOIL | |
| The food of food. The only real heritage we leave. | |
| +1 | for every 10,000 square foot decrease of paving footprint |
| -1 | for every 10,000 sqaure foot increase of paving footprint |
| +1 | for every 50 rural properties enrolled in DVR soil conservation plan |
| +1 | for every 50 acres deeded to Philadelphia Land Trust or PRAISE |
| +1 | for every 100 acres TDR to conservation organization or PRAISE |
| +1 | for every 500 urban grass lawns converted to flower/food garden |
| +1 | for every 500 compost toilets |
| +1 | for every 500 increase in compost bins |
| SOLID WASTE | |
| Garbage doesn't go away. | |
| +1 | for every 2% trash collection tonnage reduction |
| -1 | for every 2% trash collection tonnage increase |
| FUEL | |
| Conservation is the core of economic development. | |
| +1 | for each month HDD/CDD within 10% of normal |
| -1 | for each month HDD >15% above normal Oct-Apr |
| -1 | for each month CDD >15% above normal May-Sept |
| +1 | for every 1,000 additional double- or triple-pane windows installed (≥R25) |
| +1 | for every 500 residential wall/attic insulation installations (≥R25) |
| +1 | for every 50 underground/semiunderground (>50% footprint) buildings on existing footprint |
| +1 | for every 100 additional solar electric installations |
| +1 | for every 500 additional solar hot water heaters |
| +1 | for every 500 additional wind (3mph+ startup) |
| +1 | for every 10 additional cogeneration units |
| +1 | for every 500 additional members of residential fuel co-op |
| +1 | for every frame home rebuilt or retrofitted >25% earth bermed or underground |
| +10 | for every 100kwh average residential decrease of Philadelphia electric usage, seasonal |
| -10 | for every 100kwh average residential increase of Philadelphia electric usage, seasonal |
| +10 | for every Quad decrease of Philadelphia natural gas usage, seasonal |
| -10 | for every Quad increase of Philadelphia natural gas usage, seasonal |
| -1 | for every 500 units of new construction permitted by Counties of Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks, annually |
| -1 | for every 10,000 flush toilets, annual |
| +1 | for every 1,000 compost toilets, annual |
| +1 | for every 1,000 square feet of adaptive re-use from large retaliers to locally-owned light mfg. or housing |
| -1 | for every 100,000 square feet of chain retail |
| HOUSING | |
| Ownership stabilizes neighborhoods, strengthening community participation. | |
| +1 | for every one percent increase of homeownership and corresponding decrease of rental, excluing on-campus units |
| +1 | for every 5% of rental housing units locally-owned |
| -1 | for every 1% rental housing units not locally-owned |
| +1 | for every 50 units LEED low-mod housing |
| +1 | for every 50 beds at locally-owned hotels/motels/B&Bs |
| +1 | for every youth hostel >10 beds, annual |
| -1 | for every 500 motel/hotel rooms owned by non-locally-based chain |
| +1 | for every 5% shift of room tax revenues from hotel/motel chains to B&Bs |
| HEALTH | |
| Can't buy it in malls, can't live well without it. | |
| +1 | for every 500 reduction of ER visits, annual |
| -1 | for every 500 increase of ER visits, annual |
| +1 | for every 0.5% decrease in diabetes rate |
| -1 | for every 0.5% increase in diabetes rate |
| +1 | for every 0.5% decrease in breast cancer rate |
| -1 | for every 0.5% increase in breast cancer rate |
| +1 | for every 0.1% decrease in Philadelphia birth rate, seasonal |
| -1 | for every 0.1% increase in Philadelphia birth rate, seasonal |
| +1 | for every 100 fewer traffic injuries/deaths |
| -1 | for every 100 additional traffic injuries/deaths |
| +1 | for every 5% reduction of child hunger rate |
| -1 | for every 10,000 chronically hungry children |
| +2 | for every nonprofit community-owned dental clinic |
| -2 | for absence of nonprofit community-owned dental clinic |
| +1 | for every City-owned free clinic |
| +1 | for every 1,000 current members of PhilaHealthia |
| MEDIA | |
| Many sources for many voices keep democracy alive. | |
| +5 | for third and each subsequent locally-owned daily newspaper, annual |
| +2 | for third and each subsequent locally-owned weekly newspaper, mainimum circulation 3,000, excluding newsletters |
| +1 | for every locally-owned monthly newspaper, minimum circulation 2,000, excluding newsletters |
| +5 | for each locally-owned noncommercial radio station sustained at least 50% by subscribers |
| +1 | for every neighborhood low-power FM radio station |
| +1 | for every 20 regular programs on local access cable |
| +1 | for every locally-owned Internet Service Provider |
| +1 | for every 100 library internet stations |
| +1 | for every 7 square miles wifi availability <$15 /month |
| +1 | for every 10,000 subscribers/readers to local-topic listserves or e-zines publishing, excluding blogs |
| LABOR | |
| Freedoms to create new jobs and to be respected at work require support for small business and unions. | |
| +10 | for presence of Livable Wage legislation |
| -2 | for every % income total to top 20% Philadelphia households above that % income total to bottom 20% households (Gini Coefficient) |
| +1 | for every 1% decreased income gap between top 10% and lowest 10% income groups |
| -1 | for every 1% increased income gap between top 10% and lowest 10% income groups |
| -1 | for every 1% greater Philadelphia unemployment among African-Americans than among whites |
| +1 | for every 200 DBAs filed in Philadelphia annually |
| -1 | for every 1,000 jobs at a single employer |
| +1 | for every percent Philadelphia employees enrolled in a union |
| +1 | for every percent Philadelphia employees at businesses <20 employees |
| FINANCE | |
| Building local wealth relies mainly on local residents and our choices at the market. | |
| +1 | for every 5% of sales tax revenue from locally-owned businesses |
| -1 | for every 5% of sales tax revenue from non-local chain retailers |
| +1 | for every 10% occupancy of Center City retail spaces |
| +1 | for every $10,000 MediCash repaid from loans, annual |
| +1 | for every 100 PRAISE investors $1,000+ each |
| +1 | for every PRAISE program receiving $10,000+ investment |
| +1 | for every $1,000,000 lent into lowest decile income census tracts |
| +1 | for every neighborhood currency traded among 1,000+ residents for >1 year |
| +1 | for every zip code served yb a credit union branch |
| -1 | for every 5 zip codes without a credit union branch |
| CRIME | |
| +2 | for presence of a drug court |
| +2 | for presence of a youth court (ex-youth offenders serve as judges) |
| +1 | for every 50 fewer school assaults yearly (base 1,000) |
| -1 | for every 50 additional school assaults yearly (base 1,000) |
| +1 | for every 40 fewer murders yearly (base 400) |
| -1 | for every 40 additional murders yearly (base 400) |
| +1 | for every 50 fewer forcible rapes yearly (base 1,000) |
| -1 | for every 50 additional forcible rapes yearly (base 1,000) |
| +1 | for every 200 fewer robberies yearly (base 10,000) |
| -1 | for every 200 additional robberies yearly (base 10,000) |
| +1 | for every 200 fewer burglaries yearly (base 10,000) |
| -1 | for every 200 additional burglaries yearly (base 10,000) |
| +1 | for every 200 fewer assaults yearly (base 10,000) |
| -1 | for every 200 additional assaults yearly (base 10,000) |
| +1 | for every 1,000 fewer thefts yearly (base 40,000) |
| -1 | for every 1,000 additional thefts yearly (base 40,000) |
| +1 | for every 100 fewer subprime mortgage loans |
| -1 | for every 100 additional subprime mortgage loans |
| GOVERNMENT | |
| Relied upon to promote legislation favorable to ecodevelopment. | |
| +1 | for every City Council member endorsed by Philadelphia SEC |
| -1 | for every City Council member not endorsed by Philadelphia SEC |
| +1 | for every City Department head endorsed by Philadelphia SEC |
| -1 | for every City Department head not endorsed by Philadelphia SEC |
| OVERALL | |
| +10 | for any total annual increase of 10 of the + categories above |
| -10 | for any total annual decrease of 10 of the + categories above |
| +1 | for every 3 of the above categories calculated |
4828 McKean Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144 * (215) 805-8330 mailto:office@greenjobsphilly.org