Enews & Notes January 20, 2004

Striking a Balance: Local Government Implementation of Land Use Controls, Strategies from the 2003 Brownfields Peer Exchange
This report by Thomas Groeneveld documents a peer exchange between local government officials from Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky, and Chautauqua County, New York, in which they shared information about the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed to address land use controls in their communities. The report addresses design and implementation of land use controls, stakeholder coordination, information management, enforcement, and funding.

Trails and High-Speed Rail: Are They Compatible?
Most Rails-with-Trails are situated next to low-traffic and/or low-speed freight rail lines. In the last few years, however, a number of projects have been planned and developed in high-speed rail corridors. This study by Mia Birk, Alta Planning & Design, on behalf of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, was commissioned by the US Department of Transportation to identify the state of the practice in Rails-with-Trails and develop recommendations for planning and design.

New Report: "It Takes a Region to Raise a New Economy"
Introduction: Metropolitan regions are now recognized as the central unit of economic activity in the global economy. Strong, competitive regions are essential to economic growth and prosperity. Yet today, many of our metropolitan regions are more segregated by race and income than they were 20 years ago. In an economic era that requires unprecedented cooperation; our regions are polarizing, not uniting. This is not good for business or society as a whole. This paper makes the case that business leaders must work collectively to address the social and economic issues that threaten to undermine regional business performance. There is a rich tradition in America of business leadership in civic improvement and almost every community can tell good stories of individual business leaders who "give back." But building a strong, competitive region is hard work and individual corporate altruism is far too weak a foundation to support lasting civic improvement. Many business leaders understand intuitively that socially and economically stable communities are good for their firms, but the value proposition remains thin and individual action seems daunting. This paper offers a compelling explanation of why business leaders must work together to drive regional prosperity that is firmly rooted in expanded economic opportunity for all citizens. Click on the link above to download or view the paper on-line.

Governor's Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic
Governor bush created the Governor's Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic to address the rising rates of obesity among adults and youth. The task force recently issued 21 draft recommendations for addressing Florida's obesity problems. These recommendations consider the role of various entities, including the family, community, healthcare providers, and public health, in promoting lifelong healthy nutrition and physical activity. The recommendations have been subject to numerous revisions. The latest set of revisions, issued January 9, 2004, incldues the following recommendation, which should be of particular interest to FAPA members:

4. The task force strongly recommends that communities promote access to lifelong physical activity opportunities by working with local governments, planners, land and real estate developers, organizations and associations, clubs, and other policy making agencies within a community. Communities must review local environments and assess where improvements for physical activity opportunities may be implemented and should invest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and review transit-oriented development to promote "walkable" and "bikeable" communities and should review long-term planning efforts to ensure that numerous physical activity options are available to residents for safe areas to exercise and play. Communities should consider interventions that promote creating, strengthening and maintaining social networks, use of "buddy" systems, personal contracting, and walking groups. Communities should considerinvesting resources in efforts to assist family and community members to work with and mentor to youth to promote leadership and positive role models.

5. The task force strongly recommends that state and local agencies responsible for community planning ensure that policies are routinely considered for accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists and others who share the roadways and pathways in each community and ensure that communities have bicycle and pedestrian development plans as part of their planning process for new construction. These agencies must also advocate for improved planning for new construction and determine the possibility of retrofitting current communities to designate safe areas for adults and children to exercise and play. This includes improvements for sidewalks, street lighting, traffic calming, and other environmentally safe constructs that encourage physical activity.

6. The task force strongly recommends that other community organizations, including faithbased organizations, civic and service clubs, voluntary health, boards and commissions, and other local projects review programs and determine options for including increased physical activity opportunities into current and future initiatives.

To view the latest set of recommenfdations or for more information on the Task Force on the Obesity Epidemic, click here or go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/GTFOE/.

Aging and Smart Growth: Building Aging-Sensitive Communities
The paper posits that the sprawling, automobile-dominated landscape so prevalent throughout the United States seriously limits the continued mobility and independence of older people, a reality that is of enormous consequence to the aging experience. In the years ahead, the growing number of seniors, a result of the aging of baby boomers, stands to overwhelm the system of care relied on by most seniors -- family members, friends, and the social service system. The paper underscores the importance of transforming our communities so that they are aging-sensitive, making it possible for people to maintain their health and independence even as needs change. Leadership is needed to support planning processes and implementation efforts that improve the interface between the aging experience and the built environment. The paper was written by Deborah Howe, Ph.D., FAICP, with the School of Urban Studies and Planning at Portland State University, in collaboration with the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and Grantmakers in Aging. Click the title link above to download the paper.