Greensburg KS SWOT Analysis Essay

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The case of Greenburg shows a sense of vision and resilience. The local leaders and citizens of Greenburg managed to reconstruct the city after a devastating tornado destroyed the city in 2007 (White 2302). The city engaged in a recovery process that focused on a sustainable future. The ideas and factors observed in Greenburg City can be transferred to other cities and communities.

A “Recovery Plan” after a devastating tornado or any natural disaster can take different shapes depending on certain factors such as availability of resources, economic positions, expectations of the people, and vision or resilience of the leaders. The SWOT Analysis presented below offers new insights to evaluate the city’s Recovery Plan.

SWOT Analysis of Greenburg’s Recovery Plan

Strengths
Following the 2007 tornado, the local leaders worked together to identify the level of destruction. With resilience, the leaders shared their vision in order to reconstruct the city (White 2303).
The city embraced a sense of energy efficiency to promote performance.
The city received financial support both locally and internationally.
The use of modern ideas helped come up with an appropriate recovery plan for the city.
The city employed different personnel with adequate knowledge on sustainability and creation of a “greener environment”.
The society embraced the “innovation” idea.

Weaknesses
The Recovery Plan encountered various challenges such as the changing demographics in the rural areas.
The plan also lacked of appropriate ideas and equipment.
The lack of financial assistance was a major weakness.
The project also faced numerous challenges from local leaders and citizens.
The level of destruction was also a major weakness.

Opportunities
Presently, the idea of sustainability is becoming common. This explains why Greenburg City benefited from new researches and studies to transform the city.
Many people are keen to live in sustainable environments.
The tornado gave room for a sustainable-oriented recovery process (White 2206).
Modern technologies are making it easier to come up with new strategies for sustainability development.
The ongoing economic development offers new opportunities for sustainability.

Threats
The first threat was the changing weather conditions.
Lack of persistent ideas and knowledge affects recovery process.
Various legal issues and lawsuits can potentially affect such a recovery plan.

Greenburg’s case is an example of a successful “smart re-growth”. From the above SWOT Analysis, it is notable that Greenburg City stands to benefit from its sustainable recovery plan. Although the Recovery Plan encountered various challenges such as the changing rural demographics and financial constraints, it has presented a new environment whereby the residents can lead a better life.

As well, the greener outcomes make it easier to support the environment and deal with future disasters (White 2317). After examining the above four cells, it is notable that third cell – “opportunities” – offers new ideas for sustainable development.

It is agreeable that a sustainable recovery process is costly. However, different parts of the world are embracing the idea of sustainability. Communities and cities can pursue sustainability efforts through coordinated leadership. There is need to use various opportunities in order to promote community pride and embrace sustainable practices.

It is without doubts that Greenburg City serves as a model for sustainable innovations in different communities and cities across the world (White 2317). The important thing is to understand how to tackle the emerging challenges and threats in order to pursue a formal development plan (Baker 48). This will promote the issue of “greenness” and sustainability.

Works Cited

Baker, Susan. Sustainable Development. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2013. Print.

White, Stacey. “Out of the Rubble and Towards a Sustainable Future: The “Greening” of Greenburg, Kansas.” Sustainability 2.1 (2010): 2302-2319. Print.

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