Hazel Borys argues that "the payback of livable places really can’t be calculated in dollars, or pounds of fat or carbon, or even hours. The payback of place is passion."
These days we are all collectively making the case for the economic, social, and environmental benefits of sound planning practices. Sometimes we may get so taken up with the payback that we fail to pay attention to what gets people to produce these value drivers in the first place: passion. Borys writes:
"David Byrne noted in last Sunday's NY Times that people get hooked on cycling because of pleasure, not health, money, or carbon footprint. 'Emotional gratification trumps reason.'"
"It's the passion of great places that gets any of us involved, engaged, contributing. But it's also that passion that drives economies, makes connections between people, and gives resilience to jobs and the marketplace."
Thanks to Scott Doyon
FULL STORY: The Passion of Place
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research