Vision North Texas to Present Alternative Futures Research
 Vision North Texas will share the latest information on initial analysis into several “Alternative Futures” scenarios for the region’s future growth and development before the NCTCOG General Assembly on June 12, 2009.
Elected officials, community leaders, and all others Interested are invited to attend this Alternative Futures Workshop from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on June 12, prior to the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ General Assembly.
A critical step in the process of research and discussion that will eventually culminate in the creation of North Texas 2050, this workshop presents an excellent opportunity to reconnect with Vision North Texas or to get involved for the first time in this important work. The workshop is being hosted by Vision North Texas’ three Charter Sponsors: The Urban Land Institute North Texas Chapter (private sector), The University of Texas at Arlington (academic sector), and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (public sector).
As our region continues to grow rapidly, it becomes ever more apparent that many of our most pressing growth and development issues are truly regional in scope. A renewed spirit of regional cooperation is essential to the resolution of those issues. Vision North Texas is an important venue by which we can work together to make sound decisions about our priorities for regional action.
Vision North Texas is a partnership of private, public, and academic organizations working together to increase awareness about the growth expected in North Texas and to involve people and organizations in initiatives that accommodate that growth successfully and sustainably. Vision North Texas began in April 2005 with a regional visioning workshop that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the region to discuss alternatives to the pattern of urban growth that is expected in the area. They defined 15 alternative scenarios that provide a better quality of life, sustainability and economic vitality for the people who will live and work here in the future.
Beginning in 2006, the partnership expanded its efforts to engage many stakeholders from across the region in discussing our region’s options, through activities including subregional visioning workshops, speaking and education events, and city-type forums. These stakeholders have urged Vision North Texas to help our region take action, to find solutions that will be “better than business as usual” for our region’s future.
Vision North Texas is now building upon these findings by developing North Texas 2050, a preferred vision for our region’s development and an action package to accomplish this vision. Currently, we are analyzing four “Alternative Futures” scenarios as well as the “Business As Usual” scenario.
The Business As Usual scenario is basically a continuation of current trends, with the pattern of population and employment distribution reflecting past trends and the current policies of local governments regarding land use. The four “Alternative Futures” scenarios are:
- Connected Centers
- Return on Investment
- Diverse, Distinct Communities
- Green Region
Connected Centers envisions a region in which people have more choices about how they connect to the places where they live, work and play. This scenario might include mixed-use centers which include residential, commercial and recreational uses.
Return on Investment intends to maximize the benefit received from the extensive investment made in the region’s existing infrastructure and development pattern. This can be accomplished through redevelopment of older or underutilized properties into new, thriving development, as opposed to pushing new development and infrastructure out into currently rural areas, for example.
Diverse, Distinct Communities creates a region with distinct communities and centers that capture the traditional character of a community while meeting the demands of the region’s future markets. One strategy for achieving this scenario is by strengthening traditional communities or downtowns with a greater mix of uses and more intense development, yet at the same time reinforcing the history and character of the community.
The Green Region scenario emphasizes green development or natural assets as the foundation for future regional growth. It intends to identify and preserve the region’s natural assets, while providing for future development in such a way that incorporates them into future residential, commercial and recreational development.
For more information, visit www.visionnorthtexas.org.
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