In the three steps of placemaking, crafting a meaningful vision is the first and most straightforward, yet it's the most under-leveraged. Continuing his series on "Municipal Placemaking Mistakes," Nathan Norris describes how to get it right.
Rarely do communities fully appreciate the political implications of articulating a collective local vision. So they don't invest in the heavy lifting required to create a meaningful vision.
Norris goes into tools for visioning: Multiple Scenarios, Comparitive Impact Analysis (Economic, Environmental, Health, Visual, Freedom/Access), and Non-NIMBY Empowerment. And offers up some encouragement:
"Going through the hard work of producing a meaningful vision gives politicians the political cover to safeguard it. For example, if a politician’s major campaign contributor happens to be a developer who is seeking to develop property in a manner that violates the community vision, do not count on that politician to employ the courage to push back. On the other hand, the politician is substantially more likely to exercise some backbone if he or she can explain to the developer the level of support that the vision has, and that there are reports that say that the vision will be better economically, environmentally and visually while improving the health of the citizens."
FULL STORY: Municipal Placemaking Mistakes 03: The Importance of a Meaningful Vision
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Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
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