In
February of 2001,SUNY-ESF President Neil Murphydescribed the Urban Environmental Challenge as follows:
Our cities have been left a legacy of ‘brownfields’
sites – environmentally impaired properties that
are not being integrated into community development.
Urban
neighborhoods, frequently planned by those who do not
have to live there, lack the green spaces and thoughtful
design that create a sense of place and pride in one's
community.
Runoff
in the form of contaminated storm water and overflow from
sanitary sewers is impairing the quality and use of urban
waterways.
