San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition

STORM Program:

Strategies for Technology-driven Operational Resilience and Mitigation

Executive Summary:
The San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition introduces the STORM Program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at spearheading sustainable urban development in response to climate change, environmental injustices, and the urgent need for resilient infrastructure. Focusing on green building principles for rebuilding and renovation projects impacted by floods and climate change, STORM integrates workforce development initiatives to ensure that the benefits of green building and sustainable practices extend to all layers of the community, fostering environmental justice and economic opportunity.

Objective

The STORM Program is committed to:

Building resilient and sustainable structures capable of withstanding climate impacts.
Promoting environmental justice by making green building benefits universally accessible.
Enhancing green building codes to support electrification, air quality improvement, sustainable material usage, and health and safety-focused designs.
Creating workforce development initiatives to train and employ local residents in green building practices, ensuring a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of sustainable development.

Key Partnerships

San Diego Green Building Council: To leverage expertise in green building standards and workforce training.
County of San Diego: To align with regional sustainability and workforce development goals.
Local Educational Institutions and Vocational Schools: To develop tailored training programs that support the green building industry.

Program Location

Hosted at the San Diego Energy Equity Campus in Valencia Park, the STORM Program will serve as a central hub for sustainability and workforce development, ensuring a broad impact across the community.

Program Activities

Workforce Development and Training: Launch comprehensive training programs in partnership with local educational institutions, focusing on sustainable building practices, renewable energy systems, and green retrofitting skills.
Capacity Building Workshops: For local builders, architects, developers, and community members, emphasizing skill development and sustainable practices.
Green Renovation and Rebuilding Projects: To provide hands-on training opportunities and demonstrate the practical application of skills learned.
Policy Advocacy and Community Engagement: To ensure sustainable practices are embedded in local policy and that community members are actively involved in shaping a sustainable future.

Workforce Development Outcomes

Skilled Labor Force:
Increase in the number of trained professionals in green building technologies, ready to lead the transition to a more sustainable future.

Job Creation:
Generation of new job opportunities in the green economy, particularly for underserved communities, aligning with environmental justice goals.

Economic Growth:
Stimulate local economic growth
through investment in sustainable construction and renovation projects.

Conclusion

By incorporating workforce development initiatives into the STORM Program, the San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition aims to not only transform the built environment but also to empower the community through education, skill development, and job creation. This holistic approach ensures that the move towards sustainability is inclusive, offering tangible benefits to all San Diegans and setting a precedent for other urban areas to follow.