PITTSBURGH, PA (July 27, 2021) The City of Pittsburgh and Dortmund, Germany have been selected as partner participants in the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Program. The cities will work together to share information and develop localized policy as part of the Sustainable Agriculture: Food Systems, Urban Gardens cluster.
The program provides the opportunity for cities to collaborate and share information on municipal policies, programs and initiatives related to sustainable food systems for up to two years. During that time, Pittsburgh and Dortmund will work closely together while also having access to other cities and organizations committed to developing urban agriculture solutions.
“Almost all issues involving equity and sustainability are happening globally, but are most effectively handled through policy and programs made on the local, grassroots municipal level,” said Mayor William Peduto. “Partnering once again with Dortmund will allow us to share and identify sustainable, long-term solutions to urban challenges. We have a lot to share and a lot to learn for addressing the resilience of local food systems.”
Pittsburgh and Dortmund are cities that share an industrial past and have previously worked together on climate, sustainability and resilience exchanges. The City’s work in urban agriculture and food systems includes the Pittsburgh Food Policy Council and adopting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals on Zero Hunger. Dortmund, like many European cities, is working to grow and produce closer to their population center.
The partnership was made possible through the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh (SCAP), who develops, maintains and expands current and future Sister City relationships to bring cities together to address and solve global challenges facing cities of tomorrow to benefit our region’s economic, educational and cultural sectors. Though Pittsburgh and Dortmund are not sister cities, SCAP has worked to connect the two cities for other policy exchange initiatives. Pittsburgh is currently working with six of its Sister Cities to develop localized policy solutions to goals in the EU Green Deal, New Urban Agenda, Agenda 2030 and the European Cohesion Policy. A full list of Pittsburgh’s sister cities is available here.
