![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Where Do We Want To Be? - How To Get Started
Where Are We Now? | Where Are We Going? | | How Do We Get There? | Let's Go!Step Three
Vision Statement
- Introduction
- How To Get Started
- Tools
- Case Studies
- Publications
- Frequent Questions
Things To Consider
1. Get people involved from all walks of life
2. Continue to ask questions such as:
- What words do you want your grandchildren to use in describing the health of the community?
- What is unique to our community which we highly value?
- How are decisions being made?
- How are people interacting with one another?
- Are we preventing degradation of our resources?
3. Develop a visioning process which suits your community needs
4. Decide on the number of alternative futures to create
5. Ask local artists/architects to create visual representations of the alternative futures.
Keys For Success
- Broad Stakeholder Involvement
- Positive Thinking
- Strong Visual Descriptions
- Brainstorm Ideas
- Consider a Long Timeframe
- Include Benchmarks or Indicators to Monitor Progress
- Make use of graphics, artists' renderings, computer simulations, etc.
- Involve school children, teenagers and senior citizens
Many issues may spark the question "Where Do We Want to Be?". Keep in mind that regardless of the spark or initial catalyst, the community should be prepared to look back at Where Are We Now? and Where Are We Going? to help frame this phase of the community planning process.
Issues That Spark the Visioning Process
Traffic congestion and transportation issues
- How can we become more pedestrian friendly?
- How can we encourage more public transportation?
- How can we reduce the number of miles traveled to perform our daily routines?
Tax Concerns
- What is happening to our tax base?
- How can we keep our tax base strong and yet enhance our quality of life?
Water Supply/Water Resources
- What can we do as a community to reduce the pollution of our surface waters?
- What will be our future demand for water and how can we meet that demand?
- How can we reduce flooding in our watershed?
Community Assessment/Profile
- What are our most valued community treasures (cultural, social and natural resources) and how may we preserve them?
- Which of our local regulations and policies do not foster sustainability or may restrict innovative approaches to environmental protection?
- Can we redevelop our brownfields rather than use "green fields"?
Loss of Sensitive Land and Open Space
- How can we preserve our agricultural lands and keep small family farms in production?
- Are we encouraging development in areas which should be left in open space, providing protection to our streams, wetlands and forests?
Human Health
- How can we reduce our exposure to lead and radon?
- What can we do to reduce air pollution in our neighborhoods?