Coalition Work with Partners

Collaboration and coalition work is one of the ways that DVGBC integrates its advocacy work with green buildings and sustainable development into broader efforts. Economic policy and development, social equity and environmental justice, and the creation of sustainable communities are inextricably linked to our advocacy work. Partners such as the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PennFuture, Philadelphia University, the City of Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh’s Green Building Alliance have resulted in powerful strategic alliances in our region and state.

Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership (PAGGP)
Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership (PAGGP) creates strategic partnerships among industries, universities, economic investment groups and non-profits to solidify and grow the commonwealth’s position as a national leader in the rapidly emerging green building marketplace. DVGBC helps to produce its annual conference. Core partners of this coalition are the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, the Green Building Alliance, Penn State University, Philadelphia University, Temple University Center for Sustainable Communities, Temple University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the University of Pittsburgh, and Villanova University.

Green Economy Task Force
DVGBC played a large role in helping to bring activist and economic architect Van Jones, a leader in the green economy movement, to Philadelphia. Since that time, DVGBC’s staff, board, and members have remained active in efforts to create a green economy focused on environmental and social equity in Philadelphia. Many of the green jobs identified by the task force and other coalitions across the country are solidly based in the building industry trades, from deconstruction of buildings to installation of solar panels. DVGBC is a committed partner in the effort to make sure those jobs contribute to the local economy, pay family-supporting wages, and are occupied by the local people who are most in need of opportunity. We applaud the leadership of the Sustainable Business Network as it leads these efforts.

The Urban Sustainability Forums
The Urban Sustainability Forums are a monthly series of free presentations featuring the best local, national and international experts in various fields relating to sustainable communities. It's a place where people gather, exchange information and network—all with the goal of making Philadelphia the greenest, most livable and most sustainable city in America. DVGBC works in collaboration with many other partners to produce this monthly series, which has brought to Philadelphia important voices such as Jaime Lerner of Brazil, mayor to one of the world’s most sustainable cities. Major partners include PennFuture, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Energy Coordinating Agency, the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Community Design Collaborative, the City of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.