During the week of Aug. 29, the nation
will unite with still-devastated Gulf Coast communities in observance of the
first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
, reflecting on the unnecessary lives lost and destroyed, and
progress made toward rebuilding. Among the important lessons to emerge has been
the vital role comprehensive community planning plays in ensuring safe and
adequate housing, transportation, and job opportunities for all Americans. The
Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a regional resource for any group or
individual – from reporters to municipalities, employers to developers – that
want to learn more about how community planning shapes our
lives.
At its core, community planning
is about providing access. As Hurricane Katrina made clear, a community in which
some or all residents lack access – whether to well-paying jobs, quality
schools, affordable homes, or reliable public transit – is, at best, at risk of
disinvestment and isolation; at worst, in danger of succumbing to its
vulnerabilities. Recall that as Katrina bore down on
New Orleans
last August,
many residents had no choice but to remain in their homes; lacking personal
vehicles and transit service to evacuate, they were
trapped.
Coverage of the one-year anniversary of Katrina is likely
to focus on disaster preparedness – an important topic, to be sure. However, the
media also can play a role in preventing future man-made disasters by shining a
spotlight on the role local, state and federal government plays in planning
communities that keep the doors of democracy open to everyone, by ensuring equal
access to such basic necessities as homes, transportation, jobs, and education.
MPC contact: MarySue Barrett, President, 312.863.6001, msbarrett@metroplanning.org
Contact:
Michael Davidson, Manager, Campaign for Sensible Growth, 312.863.6009, mdavidson@growingsensibly.org
As cities and towns across northeastern Illinois work to
achieve their community visions, the playing field is far from level. Some
communities have the means to hire expert planners and consultants to
thoughtfully orchestrate the creation of new homes for residents of all incomes;
lively, walkable business districts; and transportation routes serving drivers,
transit users, bicyclists and pedestrians. Others lack the means to pay for any
expertise, putting them at a competitive disadvantage with neighbors, and
exacerbating problems such as traffic congestion, unemployment and homelessness.
Enter the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP): formed by merger of
the region’s transportation and land use agencies in August 2005, CMAP has great
potential to provide all communities with tools and incentives to help them meet
local needs while strengthening the entire region. Friday, Sept. 1, is a
big day both for the agency and the region:
CMAP will report to the state legislature on the
funding, authority and tools it needs to achieve this
mission.
The Metropolitan Planning
Council (MPC) has advocated for a strong CMAP decades before its inception.
CMAP
should have the authority to use federal and state funding to provide incentives
for municipalities to grow within the context of the adopted regional
plan. While most development decisions will continue to
be made at the local level, CMAP can offer technical assistance and incentives
to support development techniques that work, resulting in a more vibrant region
that offers all residents choices on where and how they can live, work, and
play. For more information, visit MPC's Web site and CMAP's Web site
.
MPC contact: MarySue Barrett, President, 312 .863.6001, msbarrett@metroplanning.org Contact: Tom Garritano,
Director of Communications, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning,
312.386.8609, tgarritano@chicagoareaplanning.org
MPC Co-Sponsors Land Development Seminar on Lake, McHenry, Cook counties
As opportunities for new development continue to boom in
the north and northwest suburbs, developers and community planners face a
softening residential market and the need for community planning to address the
housing, transportation, and jobs needs of current and anticipated residents.
Learn how development is being shaped in Lake , McHenry and northern Cook
counties at the Land Development Conference (and Golf Tournament) on
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, presented by the Metropolitan Planning
Council (MPC), Illinois Real Estate Journal, and Urban Land
Institute-Chicago.
At the conference, an
exhibition center will feature local land use plans, developer displays, and other
booths, including MPC’s kiosk with recent publications and tools for
community
development. Kristi
DeLaurentiis, MPC manager of
local government and community relations, will moderate one of eight panels on
topics such as the state of the market, role of city planners, tax treatments
for selling and exchanging land, and residential and commercial
development.
The conference kicks off at 8 a.m., and attendees are
encouraged to come as early as 7:15 a.m. to register and enjoy a continental
breakfast. For non-golfers, the conference wraps up at noon. Media may attend
free of charge and should register with Valerie Miller of the Real Estate
Communications Group. Guest registration details are available on MPC's Web
calendar
.
MPC Contact: Mandy Burrell, Communications Associate, 312.863.6018,
mburrell@metroplanning.org
Contact: Valerie
Miller, Conference Coordinator, Real Estate Communications Group, 312.644.7115,
vmiller@rejournals.com
Speak Out for Illinois Schools Hosting September Roundtables on Education
In September, the A+ Illinois campaign for statewide school funding
and property tax reform will participate in a series of roundtables on education
presented by Speak Out for Illinois Schools. The events are invitation-only;
however, media are encouraged to attend to hear panelists on both sides of the
fence speak about the state of school funding in
Illinois
, a top issue in the 2006 elections.
Each roundtable will take place between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Locations are being set
now; call for details.
Rock
Island
:
Tuesday, Sept 12
Tinley
Park
:
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Rockford
:
Thursday, Sept. 14
Peoria
:
Thursday, Sept. 21
Metro
East:
Tuesday, Sept. 26
Champaign
:
Wednesday, Sept. 27
A+ Illinois Contact: Clare Fauke, Communications
Coordinator, 312.863.6012, cfauke@aplusillinois.org
Contact: Samantha
Anderson, Media Relations Director, Speak Out for Illinois Schools,
773.456.1456, sanderson@qualityednow.org