Agency Landscape + Planning的动态

It’s a tricky catch that neighbourhoods that already have the most wealth, education and privilege tend to be better at attracting funding and advocating for support to lead their own placemaking or community development projects. ? In creating a placemaking process and resources for a diverse District like the Far North, I addressed this equity issue in a few ways. ? Once a community is confirmed to receive support from the placemaking team, Council will engage – in a paid capacity – a community member or group to lead an asset mapping process in that neighbourhood. ? This community representative (or group) will be paid a fixed fee to spend a few weeks ·?????researching and conversing with local iwi and hapū; ·?????mapping the physical assets of the neighbourhood and users’ sentiments; ·?????mapping the community groups, sports clubs and other social assets and their aspirations and resources; ·?????mapping the land ownership, natural hazard risks, vacant and neglected places; ·?????meeting with their Council Navigator to learn about the parks, zoning and Council facilities; and ·?????hosting a community hui to discuss the situation and opportunities. ? This foundation encourages a broad view of the whole neighbourhood, establishes a strong initial relationship between Council and community and creates a community resource and knowledgeable leader that sets the place up well for ongoing community-led work. ? We don’t want it to be a prerequisite that communities already have strong and active community groups. This process might help new groups to form where they don’t already exist. ? It’s a tiered system, so communities new to this work are encouraged and supported to start with a small ‘quick win’ project with easy approvals – and build up to larger-scale work that might require resource consent, LTP submissions or significant stakeholder engagement. ? This tiered system also makes it easy for Council to scale their approvals processes according to the significance (scale, duration, environmental impacts, etc.) of the project. ? We hope that these steps will make it easier – or possible – for communities with no previous placemaking experience to get started, and for Council to direct its placemaking resources towards those who need them most. #placemaking #placemakingguidelines #placemakingguide #placemakingresources #farnorth #equity #engagement #engagmentmatters #growthplanning Far North District Council

Communities That Play Together Grow Together: My View of Greenville, South Carolina ?? My wife’s family lives in South Carolina, and as I have been to many cities around the world, I am always captivated by Greenville and how it relates to where I live. With a population of only about 70,000 people, I feel that the heart of Greenville’s success story is its unwavering commitment to providing residents and visitors alike with an abundance of opportunities for leisure, recreation, and cultural enrichment. Greenville offers something for everyone, regardless of age or background, from its extensive network of parks and green spaces to its bustling downtown district filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.? It seems that no matter what day of the week it is or what time of the year, Greenville is always busy with thousands of people walking, eating and simply enjoying everything the city has to offer. Public spaces like Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail foster social connection, echoing Waterloo Region's landscape synergy. The city's arts scene thrives, with galleries, theatres, and events like Artisphere drawing thousands yearly, boosting both culture and commerce. But it's Greenville's collaborative spirit that truly shines. Residents, businesses, and government unite to shape the city's future, driving initiatives like the Greenville Forward Vision Plan. In my opinion, Greenville, South Carolina, stands as a shining example of the transformative power of community engagement, recreation, and cultural enrichment. By prioritizing public spaces, fostering a vibrant arts scene, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, Greenville has created a dynamic and inclusive community where residents thrive, businesses flourish, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. As other cities seek to emulate Greenville’s success, they would do well to heed the timeless wisdom that communities that play together truly do grow together. ?? #CommunityEngagement #Growth #GreenvilleSC #CommunityDevelopment #Recreation #CulturalEnrichment #PublicSpaces #ArtsScene #Collaboration #InclusiveCommunity #CommunityBuilding #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #DestinationCity

Building inclusive spaces is an essential component of creating a robust, thriving community. When done well, it’s also one of the most effective ways to truly bring communities together in a more meaningful way than ever before. For example, Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail will encompass approximately 30 miles of trails, greenways and parks that encircle the urban core and link at least 14 historic neighborhoods to downtown, Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek and the St. Johns River. The trail links to 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks, among other destinations like restaurants, retail and businesses, with 13 additional schools and 17 parks located within three blocks. Another great example is the Atlanta BeltLine, which continues to be built on a historic, defunct 22-mile rail corridor that loops around the city. The Beltline is a walking trail that connects a network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, and affordable housing. It enhances mobility, connects intown neighborhoods, and improves economic opportunity and sustainability. And it’s been an incredible success. There are countless other examples, and in most cases they’ve achieved their missions thanks to thoughtful planning and inclusive execution. Finding ways to tie our communities back together for the benefit of all is what makes being part of those communities great.

Big news for community parks and recreation! ??? Public officials are ramping up investments in parks, sports, and recreation projects to boost quality of life, health, and community engagement. From playgrounds and trails to sports facilities and scenic retreats, these spaces are now getting the attention—and funding—they deserve. Check out the full article to learn more about the latest trends in #CommunityDevelopment and how public leaders are prioritizing these innovative projects. https://lnkd.in/gvtnX6fu #ParksAndRecreation #PublicFunding #Sustainability #UrbanPlanning #GovCon #GreenDevelopment

Minneapolis and Saint Paul rank second and third only to Washington, D.C., on the Trust for Public Land’s annual assessment of parks in the nation’s 100 top cities. Did you know 99% of Minneapolis and Saint Paul residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park? That’s compared to the national average of 76%. Parks are amenities our region takes seriously, providing shade from the heat and offering space to play, relax and connect with community. Though the cities switched ranks this year, the park systems of Minneapolis and Saint Paul remain strong as ever.? https://lnkd.in/gvhuR8mW

Parks are some of the most vibrant open spaces in New York City, and at a time when New Yorkers are using them more than ever, the city can’t keep up with their growing needs, especially as its Parks Department absorbs a $20.1 million budget cut. Our new commentary highlights why and how the city should make it easier for nonprofit organizations and community groups to help care for smaller parks and open spaces. By way of a smart strategy prioritizing enhanced maintenance, site-specific programming, and dedicated new sources of revenue, the city can reinvest in its public spaces. This would be a win-win for the city and its residents, but the city’s legal reviews make securing the agreements necessary between community-organizations and city agencies an arduous slog, costing time and money. By overhauling these bureaucratic processes, the city would not lose a penny, and would unlock significant opportunities to improve conditions in smaller, under-resourced parks. A livable city is home to a vibrant, well-maintained public realm, and while the city has made recent strides in creating public-private partnerships around public space, there is much more to be done in order to unlock the full potential of New York’s parks. Check out our full commentary here: https://lnkd.in/e2faEn9h

LAST MINUTE SPACES AVAILABLE! ***Wed 11th September - Brighton Interactive Listening Walk*** We're running our Interactive Listening Walk focused on seaside gentrification in Kemptown on Wednesday afternoon. We've had a couple of cancellations and don't want the spaces to go to waste. If you fancy joining, get in contact - some more details below and please do share! Event is aimed at professionals (e.g. councillors, council officers and voluntary sector workers) working in a policy-related area (e.g. planning, housing, community engagement). Wed 11th September - listening + exploring together around St James Street and Edwards Street 2-3.30pm - post-walk feedback session 3.30-4.30pm Working with Sussex residents, we have designed a series of Interactive Listening Walks that encourage engagement, re?ection and discussion on the topic of ‘Seaside changes and the Sussex Coast’. An Interactive Listening Walk (ILW) is a participatory group activity that promotes and enhances local engagement and consultation activities. We’re offering you the opportunity to participate in an ILW focused on changes in Kemptown (including Edward Street Quarter, community gardens, St James Street and the Fitzherbert Community Hub). The event comprises a 90-minute walk followed by a 60-minute focus group, as a creative and cost-effective consultation and engagement method. This immersive experience combines moments of silent listening, re?ection, and site interactions based on the sounds we hear. We have found this method supports positive dialogue around complex topics, enabling participants to express themselves and be heard calmly. #community #engagement #policy #Brighton #walking #listening #gentrification #housing #planning #redevelopment

???? There are about 60 parks within half a mile of the highway. This is the third park that we program and steward. It’s so noisy, and it recently got some funding for some renovations because we were like, “Hey, it’s just an asphalt-top triangle, we can do something better here.” When I was growing up, it was predominantly Italian and Irish. Peter, who owned the blue house, would share these wonderful stories of how it was growing up in this neighborhood. Right now, there’s a big Mexican population around here. It’s intergenerational: you see the grandmothers tending to the toddlers and the infants, the parents play with the teenage kids and the younger kids, and sometimes they all play volleyball. We’re excited to see what’s going to happen here. It’s great that these changes are coming and that they’re making these investments, but we’ve also got to worry about the highway. When we host events in Virginia Park, it gives us the opportunity to talk to folks about changes that could potentially come to this area. It really is grassroots, building relationships. We show up everywhere. We go to schools, we go to meetings, big events. When our partners have meetings, we show up to their meetings. We’re very mindful that other organizations are working on other projects, so we definitely support and advocate for the work that they’re doing, but then it also provides us an opportunity to talk to people and be like, “Hey, do you know about like this other project to cap the Cross Bronx?” One of the hardest things about organizing is that you meet people who are like, “I can’t pay my rent, I can’t find a job, my lights are gonna be cut off, I’m having challenges with my kid in school.” It’s having to meet all these needs even before you can ask someone, “Hey, we have this really ambitious project, are you interested in learning about it?” I spend a lot of time just helping people navigate their own challenges to really gain that trust so that later on, I can say, “We’re having this meeting, can you come out and support?” That’s what organizing is about; it’s not a transactional relationship. https://lnkd.in/dRVpqV2m

A study by Trust for Public Land reveals the power of city parks in narrowing socioeconomic divides. Three key takeaways (link to full report in the comments): 1. Parks as Catalysts for Social Connectivity: Parks play a significant role in fostering social connections and community cohesion. Cities with higher ParkScore rankings tend to have residents who are more socially connected and engaged with their neighbors. High-quality parks contribute to social capital, which is linked to benefits such as lower mortality, reduced depression, and increased economic mobility. 2. Importance of Community Engagement: The report emphasizes the need for parks departments to engage with residents throughout all phases of park development, including design and programming. Strategies such as compensating resident experts for their input, holding design charrettes, and creating bespoke park programs are effective in building social connections and ensuring that parks reflect the unique cultures, interests, and priorities of the community. 3. Parks as a Response to Division and Polarization: Parks are being used as a proactive measure to address societal issues such as division and polarization. By activating parks with programs and events aimed at bringing together diverse groups, parks are seen as neutral public spaces that can help bridge divides. Programs that are culturally specific and cater to a wide range of interests are particularly successful in engaging new audiences and fostering a sense of unity within communities.

According to the Center for Active Design,??“living within a 10-minute walk of a park is positively and significantly associated with higher levels of civic trust and appreciation.” With that in mind, the findings from the Trust for Public Land’s 13th annual?release of the?ParkScore?index, on May 22, were of great interest. The Index is an annual ranking of?park systems across the 100 largest U.S. cities, based on metrics like #access, #equity, public investment, acreage, and amenities. Is your city one of the top twelve as listed by Barrett and Greene Inc. in a new Management Update? It matters, as the Trust for Public Land explains in a new report "The Power of Parks to Strengthen Community," that finds, among many other things, that: Residents of cities with the highest ParkScore? rankings are * More socially connected and engaged with their neighbors? * Are more likely to see social connections between low-and-high income individuals * People are more far more likely to volunteer. Click here for more: https://lnkd.in/eRs4HsXZ Minneapolis Parks Foundation Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County City of Irvine City of Arlington Seattle Parks and Recreation San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department San Francisco Parks Alliance? Cincinnati Parks Foundation Cincinnati Parks, Portland Parks & Recreation Portland Parks Foundation Chicago Parks Foundation St. Petersburg College Diane Regas Jeff Danter Annie Smith (Gawkowski) Pat Watson