Community & Place-Based Visioning

Community & Place-based Visioning
Glenn Eugster

WHAT DOES A VISION OF YOUR COMMUNITY OR LANDSCAPE MEAN TO YOU? IT CAN HELP DESCRIBE:

+ Who you are.

+ Where you are from and how you got here.

+ What your relationship is to the place--and living resources, you live, work and recreate in.

+ What makes you unique--your identity.

+ What you value.

+ What you are trying to achieve.

+ What your needs and concerns are.

+ What brings you together and what divides you apart.

+ What choices you have.

+ What funds, partnerships, and assistance you have available to you.

+ What will success look like and how you can measure your progress.

+ Who you were, are and will be.

COMMUNITY & PLACE-BASED VISIONING: PLANNING STEPS

Assumptions:

--The process must be locally led, open to the public, objective and inclusive.

--All partners are equally important.

--All environmental, community and economic values must be recognized.

--The process must be consensus-based and agreement should be secured at the beginning, and at every major decision-making point in the process.

--Recognize and build upon existing traditions of stewardship, partnerships, consensus building and community initiative.

--Ultimately local governments make local decisions. All decisions are local.

--Typically a locally appointed Steering Committee will lead the effort and local coordinators and State government assistance will be required.

--There must be balanced private sector and government involvement.

COMMUNITY & PLACE-BASED VISIONING: PROCESS STEPS

1. Identify, Understand and Characterize Community and Landscape Values

2. Describe the Goals & Objectives of All Interests

3. Identify and Assess the Needs, Concerns and Issues of the People and the Place

4. Refine Goals & Objectives and Establish Measures of Success

5. Consider All Alternatives

6. Select Actions

7. Take Action

8. Document, Publicize & Celebrate Results

9. Evaluate Progress & Refine Strategy