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D4 sustainable communities kim thurlow
The New River Valley Livability Initiative focuses on enhancing rural livability in Virginia through sustainable community planning. Key lessons learned include understanding local values, expanding community involvement, and addressing rising housing costs and commuting patterns. The initiative emphasizes building healthy communities, preserving rural character, and increasing economic opportunities while supporting existing communities and promoting equitable housing.
D4 sustainable communities kim thurlow
- 1. New River Valley LivabilityInitiative Lessons Learned
- 2. Virginia’s New RiverValley: • mostly rural and small university towns • Decline in manufacturing jobs in rural counties • Sustainable Communities Grantee, 2011 • 3 year regional planning process – 9 topic areas
- 3. Lesson 1: UnderstandLocal Values RURAL LIVABILITY PRINCIPLES • Provide more transportation • Protect the rural character and choices. scenic beauty of our region. • Promote equitable, affordable • Increase regional self-reliance housing. and prosperity. • Enhance economic • Maintain family-friendly competitiveness. communities. • Support existing communities. • Reduce household costs. • Coordinate and leverage federal • Provide more job opportunities. policies and investment. • Build healthy communities. • Value communities and • Help residents age in place. neighborhoods. • Enhance agriculture viability.
- 4. CITIZEN OUTREACH • Kick-off Summit • On-line and paper surveys • Spanish language survey • Lower literacy paper survey • Small focus group and community meetings • Interactive performance • Digital storytelling • BUILT planning game Nearly 1,200 New River Valley citizen perspectives
- 5. A Different CommunityConversation: BUILT NRV Goals core values and priorities key tensions and tradeoffs obstacles, challenges potential action strategies Comparing • rural and in-town perspectives within localities • differences/similarities between localities • perspectives from regional bodies
- 6. Lesson 2: ExpandYour Circle
- 7. WORKING GROUP INVOLVEMENT 160participants involved in monthly working group meetings. Participants included: – 10 State agencies – 12 Regional organizations – 29 Non-profit and community based organizations – 17 Private sector partners or utilities – 21 Departments from 3 Higher- Education Institutions – 15 citizens (no particular affiliation) – All member localities
- 8. Lesson 3: Step outof the Housing Silo Opportunity
- 9. KEY TREND: HOUSINGCOSTS Rising energy costs & aging housing stock impacts household budgets – both for discretionary and necessary items. 12.9% 40.40% 18.7% 28.0% Age of Housing Stock 70+ Years Old 50-69 Years Old 30-49 Years Old <30 Years Old
- 10. KEY TREND: COMMUTINGPATTERNS Localities with increased number of commuters can lead to higher household costs. % Workers Driving > 25 miles to Work by Income Floyd Giles Pulaski Radford Mont. (ex towns) Blacksburg Christiansburg 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Less than $35,000 per year More than $35,000 per year
- 11. KEY TREND: JOBS& EDUCATION Education attainment impacts job opportunity and earning potential. $60,000 $50,000 Median Household Income $40,000 $30,000 $20,000 $10,000 $0 Less than high school graduate High school graduate (includes equivalency) Some college or associate's degree Bachelor's degree Graduate or professional degree
- 12. KEY TREND: AGINGPOPULATION
- 13. Enhancing Living & Working Environments • Reduce energy costs • Affordable housing options • Housing choice • Enhance transportation options • Successfully age in place/ community
- 14. Making the BusinessEnvironment more Productive & Efficient • Diversify economic base. • Improve the region’s telecommunication and infrastructure network. • Create multimodal transportation access. • Increase education opportunities/entrepreneur support services. • Strengthen agriculture viability.
- 15. Preserving Rural Heritage& Community Character • Protect scenic beauty/ view sheds. • Enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. • Recognize importance of the arts, culture, and history which defines community character and pride. • Strengthen the economic and cultural position of downtowns. • Integrate existing community character into the design of community core improvements.
- 16. Building Healthy Communities •Monitor and improve the environmental quality to promote the health of its residents. • Promote proactive choices about food, fitness, family, work, and play. • Foster collaboration across health care providers and networks. • Improve healthy transportation, housing, and recreation options and access for residents. • Prevent and reduce the burden of
- 17. IMPACT Impact • HOME & Habitat for Humanity • Community Foundation • Virginia Community Capital • Health District and the Built Environment • Economic Developers and Quality of Life
- 18.