There are many ways to coordinate a Biosphere Eco-City
There is no standard way to set up or coordinate a Biosphere Eco-City. It all depends on what works best in the local circumstances.
As well, the BEC approach can be tested first through a project, without setting up a Biosphere Eco-City coordinating structure. This is what Ryerson University did, creating a self-guided Sustainability Tour for the City of Toronto, Canada.
Beyond that, here are some options to coordinate a Biosphere Eco-City :
A New Non-Profit Organization
Strength
- easy to create
Weakness
- no resources and little structure.
The original BEC pilot in Ottawa, Canada began in this way. And while the Themes and Tools worked very well, maintaining a non-profit was demanding. But this turned out to be a good way to test the power of human capital (see Culture of Sustainability) and show that the BEC approach was affordable.
An Existing Non-Profit Organization
Strengths
- existing resources and structure
- easier access to grant money
Weaknesses
- may be restricted by organization’s mission
- may be viewed as not representing the whole community
With the resources and structure of an existing organization, starting BEC should be easier. But it would be prudent to create a Biosphere Eco-City Committee, with representatives from various stakeholders, to reflect the whole community.
An Association or Council of Existing Organizations
Strengths
- broad base of business, government and the non-profit sector
- would immediately have created a BEC Tool – a Council of Stakeholders
- sustaining resources, if member organizations contributed
Weaknesses
- more complicated to create and manage
One or two organizations would need to take the lead to start the council, and the governance structure would need to be well defined.
A Municipal Committee
Strengths
- secretarial support and communication tools
- regular meeting space
Weaknesses
- members might feel constrained by government in discussions and projects
If government agreed to a “hands off” support role this might work well. An example of this is the City of Ottawa which provides a coordinator and some resources to support a Conservation and Stewardship Committee.