English: Flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Image created by uploader based on and image at the North American Vexillological Association web site and other images on the web. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Last Tuesday, we went to the ballot box and Bill Peduto was ellected to be the next mayor of Pittsburgh. One of the reasons why I think Peduto is a great choice for Pittsburgh is the amount of time he spends studying other cities .
I have personally had the opportunity to learn about cities that are similar to Pittsburgh through GLUE (the Great Lakes Urban Exchange). GLUE was founded by a Pittsburgh native and a Detroit native with the purpose of bringing together folks from rust-belt cities, cities that are all struggling with similar post-industrial revolution problems. I’ve attended GLUE conferences in Buffalo, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh and had the opportunity to learn about how other cities are tackling problems that Pittsburgh is also trying to deal with. [Some of the GLUE supporters continue to share articles and ideas on the GLUE Facebook page here. We are working to put together a future GLUE conference – keep an eye on the GLUE Facebook page for details].
What does this have to do with the new mayor of Pittsburgh? Bill Peduto has invested his personal time and energy into learning as much as he can about other cities in the US and abroad, and has worked to bring the best ideas for cities back to Western Pennsylvania. I have, on several occasions, stopped Bill on the street to ask about something I’ve read about another city. Check out this article about Starbucks and recycling cups – The Starbucks Cup Dilemma (Fast Company, October 2010). While the cup stuff is interesting, lots of good information about Seattle’s mandatory recycling program and it would be great to see if something like this could work here in Pittsburgh. Bill has been happy to discuss this idea and actually had a lot more knowledge to share about municipal waste and composting.
I’m excited that the next mayor of is eager to bring the best practices from other cities back to Pittsburgh and to share some of the things that Pittsburgh is doing well with the rest of the world.
If you are interested in learning more about best practices for cities in 2013 and if you would like to learn more about the next mayor of Pittsburgh – check out Bill Peduto’s Excellent Adventures. On Monday, November 11, 2013, the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club has organized an evening at the Manor Theater in Sq. Hill where Bill Peduto will be presenting on some of his recent research into best practices of cities.
Bill Peduto’s Excellent Adventurers
Bill will share stories of his “Wonkapolooza” travels after the primary election. He hit the road during this past spring and summer to study best practices around the country and the world. Come to this FREE event to hear how he will apply what he learned toward running city government.
Monday, November 11, 2013
7-9pm
The Manor Theater
RSVP on Facebook
Some recent press about Bill Peduto and Pittsburgh
- Peduto says his cabinet as Pittsburgh mayor will be most diverse in city history (post-gazette.com)
- Mayor-elect Peduto boasts of diversity in executive team (triblive.com)
- Peduto To Bring Change To Mayor’s Office (pittsburgh.cbslocal.com)
- City a finalist for streetlight plant (triblive.com)
