Double Haul Solutions’ Post

This past fall, I led a group of our Virginia Tech SPIA graduate students in their course on Collaborative Planning and Community Engagement. They worked with a resident activist group, the Friends of Evans Spring, who have organized to try to protect the last remaining urban forest in the City of Roanoke, VA, from development. The forest is just to the north of a predominantly African American neighborhood, which was displaced there following the destruction of the historic Black neighborhoods in the City during urban renewal. If you've read about Root Shock, by Mindy Fullilove, MD, you've heard about Roanoke -- it is one of three cases she uses to describe the inter-generational psychological trauma caused by urban renewal in American cities-- legacies of urban planning decisions. This project was very challenging for us, as outsiders, and as scholars/students of urban planning, who recognize both the potential and the limitations of the tools of urban planning to effect truly transformative change. We studied closely the examples of Ken Reardon, Leonie Sandercock, Patricia Wilson, and others, to open up spaces of transformation through deep community engagement. We found that through a willingness to be vulnerable, to empathically hold another's pain - and hope - even though we could not guarantee any outcome, the process changed *us*. Increasingly, I understand that this is the transformation that our society needs. How do *we* learn to become neighbors to those we formerly considered strangers? What does it mean to teach... love... of neighbor? I have been asked by the City of Roanoke's Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board to present our process of community engagement to City Council on Feb 5. I have recorded the presentation, which can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/eAPRk3fW Many thanks to the Fall 2023 students in my Collaborative Planning and Community Engagement class~ I learned so much from working with you all on this.

If you haven't already, make sure to check out the latest article from Just Imagine SWLA

📢 Attention thought leaders, innovators, and industry experts! We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Annual Conference on Investing in a Dynamic Culture of Planning, October 13-15th, 2024! Are you passionate about planning? Do you have groundbreaking ideas to share with a diverse audience of professionals? We want YOU to be a part of our dynamic lineup of presenters! Topic Examples: - Rural planning issues - including the changing face and economy of rural areas and small towns, the lack of planning capacity, landscape conservation, recreation and outdoors tourism, ag viability, and rural broadband. - Planning Officials and Planning Commissioners - Including roles, procedures, leadership development, and current issues for planning commissions and zoning hearing boards. - Transportation - Including capitalizing on PennDOT Connects initiative, public-private partnerships, bike travel and walkability, and the relationship of various modes of travel to community development and revitalization. Explore more possible topics on our website or create your own in your submission. If you are a trailblazer in your field and eager to inspire, educate, and engage, submit your proposal by 11:59PM on March 15th, 2024 to be considered for a speaking opportunity! TO SUBMIT: 1 Visit our conference website 2 Fill out the Presenter Submission Form: https://ow.ly/EHYK50QMYsu 3 Share your expertise and passion with a brief proposal Learn more on our website: https://ow.ly/H19C50QMYst

📢 Attention thought leaders, innovators, and industry experts! We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Annual Conference on Investing in a Dynamic Culture of Planning, October 13-15th, 2024! Are you passionate about planning? Do you have groundbreaking ideas to share with a diverse audience of professionals? We want YOU to be a part of our dynamic lineup of presenters! Topic Examples: - Rural planning issues - including the changing face and economy of rural areas and small towns, the lack of planning capacity, landscape conservation, recreation and outdoors tourism, ag viability, and rural broadband. - Planning Officials and Planning Commissioners - Including roles, procedures, leadership development, and current issues for planning commissions and zoning hearing boards. - Transportation - Including capitalizing on PennDOT Connects initiative, public-private partnerships, bike travel and walkability, and the relationship of various modes of travel to community development and revitalization. Explore more possible topics on our website or create your own in your submission. If you are a trailblazer in your field and eager to inspire, educate, and engage, submit your proposal by 11:59PM on March 15th, 2024 to be considered for a speaking opportunity! TO SUBMIT: 1 Visit our conference website 2 Fill out the Presenter Submission Form: https://ow.ly/EHYK50QMYsu 3 Share your expertise and passion with a brief proposal Learn more on our website: https://ow.ly/H19C50QMYst

Let’s start a conversation! Last week, Allison Farole, MPA, CEM, MiPEM and I discussed the concept of building community preparedness. In this, we shared an observation that our current culture has shifted away from prioritizing and fostering a sense of “community.” Modern-day society coupled with technology advancements have shifted our mind-set. We are less connected to our neighbors, colleagues, schools, towns, city-centers, etc., than at any other time in history. And our long-standing viewpoint/sense of what “community” is, no longer exists. So, the QOTD is this: How do you build community preparedness, without community being a part of your culture?

When work is play in disguise, that’s when your work is wise.   Is that a famous quote or did we just make that up? 😮   Whatever. The point is, THIS could be your next playground. Yep – the incredible City of Irvine is looking to redefine community development in a big way. Are you a visionary who sees no boundaries in designing premier future focused communities?   Then this is your next play. Irvine’s Executive Director – Strategy & Development closes on 2/25.   Details ➡ https://bit.ly/irvineedsd   American Planning Association APA California APA Orange Section APA Los Angeles San Diego American Planning Association APA California - Northern Central Coast Section - American Planning Association, California Chapter #urbanplanner #communitydevelopment

Join us on June 20 at 1:00pm to this webinar in the Arizona Smart Growth series Pinnacle Prevention. Sam Gomez and Agustin (Augie) Gastelum will be panelists. ⁣ We’ll explore how community engagement is crucial in creating equitable cities and towns.⁣ ⁣ As we continue to evolve as a state, it’s essential to consider: What does genuine engagement with residents look like? Where have our current systems fallen short, and how can we rethink the ways we plan, design, and build our neighborhoods?⁣ https://lnkd.in/gAjcNvtt

⭐Strategy Spotlight⭐ This week, we’re highlighting how creating routes for residents to safely walk through neighborhoods have been shown to increase levels of social connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness. Having routes to safely walk around one's neighborhood can increase residents' familiarity and trust in their neighborhood, resulting in greater community cohesion. Similar to the benefits of mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods, the short interactions that take place between residents on walks can eventually develop quality connections and inspire greater support of other residents. Cities across the country have created Safe Routes to Schools programs for children and their families to walk to school, safe from traffic, construction, and crime. Some neighborhoods in North Carolina, California, Vermont, and Georgia have implemented walking school buses, whereby "neighborhood captains" (parents, teachers, or even local business owners) collectively supervise the path children take to get to school. This coordination encourages communication and relationship building among neighbors, offers parents and children quality time to bond, and can provide busy parents with social support. Learn about the research behind this social connection strategy and explore community examples in our Action Guide's catalog of strategies! Click here to dive in: https://lnkd.in/geRqbGBz

When work is play in disguise, that’s when your work is wise.   Is that a famous quote or did we just make that up? 😮   Whatever. The point is, THIS could be your next playground. Yep – the incredible City of Irvine is looking to redefine community development in a big way. Are you a visionary who sees no boundaries in designing premier future focused communities?   Then this is your next play. Irvine’s Executive Director – Strategy & Development closes on 2/25.   Details ➡ https://bit.ly/irvineedsd American Planning Association APA California APA Orange Section Central Coast Section - American Planning Association, California Chapter APA Los Angeles San Diego American Planning Association #urbanplanning #communitydevelopment

💙 Community should be the heart of any project in urban planning. Creating spaces that not only ensure that communities thrive, but coexist, is what we're all about at co:census. That's why we've created workshops that'll help you master proven strategies for creating inclusive, vibrant urban spaces. Here's why you should check it out ➡ Proven Impact: Our methods are backed by success stories from top agencies. ➡ Integrate Equity: Seamlessly incorporate social equity into your projects. ➡ Data With Purpose: Utilize data-driven insights to address real community needs. ➡ Collaborative Spirit: Enhance teamwork with innovative collaboration techniques. ➡ Earn Credits: Get CM credits approved by APA. This is an opportunity for you to spark change and contribute to a more equitable future. Ready to learn and lead? ⬇ Download our workshop info sheet today 👉 https://lnkd.in/emyZpYqH