The following is part of a series of blog contributions by Robert Munson, a member of the CMAP Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC). The views expressed are not necessarily those of the CAC or of CMAP itself.
by Robert Munson
11/4/09
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This was one of six posters promoting the 2009
summer workshops when over 80% of citizens said
they want investment in transportation alternatives.
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Answer: Those communities who start today to adapt their Land Use policies so they can grow, balance their books and compete in the 21st Century economy.
The last nine months have seen the most dramatic changes in the metropolitan area that I have seen since I was born here in 1953. If you are making a list of how our communities are changing recently, consider these three.
- A deep recession is causing a series of fiscal crises for Illinois, our counties and cities; resulting in service cuts so deep that it could take until 2016 to return to 2008 levels.
- Federal policy is evolving to fund infrastructure for those non-auto transportation options (i.e. transit, bikes, walking) that are easier and -- when coupled with compact communities -- make people healthier.
- CMAP organized 60+ workshops to ask citizens to shape their future. The results startled most everyone (especially me) with over 80% saying they want greater investments in transit and 60% wanting more compact communities.
- The above three changes create a growing chasm between what citizens expect and what local governments deliver. This chasm can be bridged as the GO TO 2040 campaign enters its next phase to describe the region’s Preferred Scenario. To prompt this discussion, I offer this 5 Part series. Here is its Synopsis.
Part 1, The Promise Of Regional Planning [PDF], discusses how participating in GO TO 2040 is essential to grow out of what has become recurring fiscal stress.
The middle three Parts describe how land use policies of three counties reflect the three economies of the last 100 years (industrial, consumer and the emerging “energy-efficient” economy) and how each county can adapt to the 21st Century.
Part 2, How The Wisdom Of Our Ancestors Made Us Healthy, Wealthy And Wise…. And Is Doing So Again. The land use and transportation patterns set 100 years ago in the Burnham Plan cemented Cook County as the world’s industrial powerhouse for over three decades and the entire region prospered. Part 2 suggests how Chicago’s pattern makes it easier for the entire region to prosper again in the new energy-efficient economy.
Part 3, Consumerism And DuPage Today, explores how this county’s development mirrored the consumer economy; blossoming in the 1960s and ending in today’s recession. But these land use patterns will work against most suburbs’ ability to compete in the 21st Century economy… unless citizens get what they want: transportation options supported by more compact communities.
Part 4, Can Exurbs Become Sustainable Suburbs?, asks how Kendall County can test greenfield development patterns that meet 21st Century challenges.
Part 5, Start Now If You Expect To Grow, argues that those community leaders who make local decisions that support the region’s plan starting in 2010 will succeed in helping their communities compete in the emerging economy. And those leaders who do not, will not.
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