August 30, 2011

The capital cities of five U.S. states are getting some help going green. The five cities were selected as part of the Greening America’s Capitals project. The chosen cities will now receive design assistance for cleaner, more efficient homes and transportation. The Environmental Protection Agency and private sector experts will assist the cities in green design, infrastructure and economic revitalization.

The capital cities of Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska and the District of Columbia were chosen for the green makeovers. Montgomery, Alabama will be redesigning a one-mile stretch of a national historic trail to create better connections for walking and biking between neighborhoods. Phoenix, Arizona will revitalize historic buildings in a commercial strip using green infrastructure. The District of Columbia will get help making three intersections near D.C.’s Metro Station safer and more effective for pedestrians, bicycles and cars.

The EPA will be sending out a team of urban planners, designers and landscape architects to come up with a customized design plan for each capital city project. The EPA hopes the green improvements will be a model for other cities looking to create sustainable designs for growth and development.