Regional Initiatives

The California Story: 

The California Story Regional Innovations in Growth Planning, Development and Conservation Anya Lawler California Center for Regional Leadership Presented at “The California Story” June 15, 2004 Sacramento, California

Purpose of Presentation: 

Purpose of Presentation Showcase the range of regional initiatives around the state designed to respond to growth trends and challenges Highlight lessons learned Offer ideas on potential state policy opportunities

Project Categories: 

Project Categories Civic Engagement through Growth Visioning & Dialogue Regional & Cross-Jurisdictional Planning Schools as Centers of Community Vitality Business Leadership on Growth & Planning Issues

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH GROWTH VISIONING & DIALOGUE: 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH GROWTH VISIONING & DIALOGUE Sacramento Region Blueprint Southern California Compass Valley Futures Project

Sacramento Region Blueprint: 

Sacramento Region Blueprint Valley Vision & SACOG Preferred regional growth pattern GIS technology Consensus among 5000 participants Basis for next Metropolitan Transportation Plan $500 million over 25 years Engaged citizenry=vision to action

SCAG Compass Growth Vision: 

SCAG Compass Growth Vision Massive region—38,000 sq. mi., 17 million people, 6 million more by 2030 14 map-based workshops, 7 policy dialogues Changing 2% of the urban landscape Incorporated into 2004 RTP Half of transportation and air quality improvements from land use patterns

Valley Futures Project: 

Valley Futures Project Great Valley Center “What if” narratives for three regions Connection between decisions and outcomes Engagement to action

Civic Engagement: Lessons Learned: 

Civic Engagement: Lessons Learned Broad public involvement educates and builds constituency Technology—a powerful tool Diverse participation? Diverse approaches Need to link to formal policy processes

REGIONAL& CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL PLANNING: 

REGIONAL& CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL PLANNING San Diego Regional Comprehensive Plan Western Riverside - Orange County Inter-Regional Partnership Pajaro Valley Growth Management Strategy The New Suburban Village: San Fernando Valley Los Angeles Urban Parks Vision

San Diego Regional Comprehensive Plan: 

San Diego Regional Comprehensive Plan San Diego Association of Governments Planning framework for San Diego County, 18 cities Looking beyond borders Principles of smart growth & sustainability, focus on equity Smart growth opportunity areas Coordination, financial incentives, strategic projects

Western Riverside - Orange County Inter-Regional Partnership: 

Western Riverside - Orange County Inter-Regional Partnership Western Riverside Council of Governments & Orange County Council of Governments Target: jobs-housing imbalance Building new relationships Infill land inventory Tools to support mixed-use development Consumer preference survey: underserved housing market Western Riverside business attraction web tool

Pajaro Valley Growth Management Strategy: 

Pajaro Valley Growth Management Strategy Action Pajaro Valley Growth vision with 20-year horizon Bioregional approach Accommodates growth in defined areas Phased approach Successful ballot measure amended Watsonville’s general plan

The New Suburban Village: San Fernando Valley: 

The New Suburban Village: San Fernando Valley Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley Vision 2020 Suburban redevelopment through town centers 10-12 projects Tailored approaches Building community stewardship

Los Angeles Urban Parks Vision: 

Los Angeles Urban Parks Vision Center for Law in the Public Interest L.A. underserved by parks Inequities in low-income areas Reviving historic Olmstead vision Linking parks and greenways Advocacy led by social equity community Redefining state park definition

Regional Planning: Lessons Learned: 

Regional Planning: Lessons Learned Regional planning is possible Long-term horizon critical Incentives & collaboration instead of forced implementation Open process=greater buy-in

SCHOOLS AS CENTERS OF COMMUNITY VITALITY: 

SCHOOLS AS CENTERS OF COMMUNITY VITALITY City Heights Neighborhood Revitalization New Schools/Better Neighborhoods

City Heights Neighborhood Revitalization: 

City Heights Neighborhood Revitalization Sol Price’s philanthropic leadership Transformative neighborhood development Holistic approach Education as key driver Innovation in school design and operation

New Schools/Better Neighborhoods: 

New Schools/Better Neighborhoods Los Angeles First 5 Commission funds Collaborative planning, community-centered schools Leveraging school dollars for neighborhood renewal 9 projects Advocacy and demonstration Changing relationships

Schools as Centers of Community: Lessons Learned: 

Schools as Centers of Community: Lessons Learned Collaborative master planning key to success Either/or solutions unsuccessful Flexible funding critical Competition for scarce land drives innovation State roadblocks present challenges Completed projects change the dialogue

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP ON GROWTH AND PLANNING ISSUES: 

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP ON GROWTH AND PLANNING ISSUES Orange County Business Council Bay Area Council

Orange County Business Council: 

Orange County Business Council Center for a New Orange County Long-term infrastructure issues Boring but critical Report card project Affordable HomeOwnership Alliance Workforce housing Red-hot market Housing Trust Fund: target $20 million

Bay Area Council Housing Committee: 

Bay Area Council Housing Committee Supply threatens economic competitiveness Housing: linchpin of sustainable development Compact for Sustainable Bay Area, Livable Footprint Project Local government action key Housing Element, CEQA reform

Business Leadership: Lessons Learned: 

Business Leadership: Lessons Learned High quality of life = business friendly Good data & analysis instead of rhetoric Business community a powerful ally Lifecycle costing

State Policy Implications: 

State Policy Implications Abandon cookie-cutters, support creativity Flexible funding, no silos Remove barriers Planning, visioning: routine, not extra Mechanisms/incentives for planning, collaboration, action Public/private partnerships Sustained leadership Link visioning to formal planning/policy processes

Questions for Discussion: 

Questions for Discussion What lessons can be learned from these projects? How can philanthropy effectively engage in these efforts? What local/regional and state policy reforms are needed?