11.08.07

HCC “Workshop on Urban Planning”, Northline Mall, 11-1pm

Posted in Events, GHDC Blog at 3:58 am by M Beauregard

Empowering students through activities that focus on future planning and urban growth issues currently being administered by local governmental planning agencies and citizen groups.

 

Thursday              November 15, 2007             11:00am - 1:00pm

Northline Mall Lecture Hall & Lobby, 4400 North Freeway

(northeast side of Mall / Fulton St. with free parking)

 

Because Houston is projected to increase by an additional 3.5 million people by year 2035, planning for Houston’s future is a major issue surrounding the November 2007municipal and HCC Trustee elections.  HCC is building new facilities at Northline and Codwell to accommodate its enrollment growth; and in February 2008, METRO will begin construction of the North Corridor rail line, linking Northline Mall to Downtown.  Together, these massive, publicly funded, capital improvement projects offer an economic revitalization opportunity to the Northline area that is unprecedented since its original development in the 1950s.  

Similarly, other civic groups have developed alternative plans for I-45 that reflect their values, rather than the standard freeway upgrade, exemplified by the “new Katy Freeway.”  Thus, this wide range of issues and their diverse solutions frame the discussions to incorporate these multiple views into the process that will determine the outcomes for future growth.  A willingness by our local elected leaders to solicit the ideas of citizens and students into the planning process is vital to nurturing an on-going, responsive, and progressive municipal government.  This grassroots process is also being enhanced by non-profit organizations such as the Gulf Coast Institute that specialize in evaluating decision making options about quality of life issues.

 

WORKSHOP AGENDA

10:45   Complimentary Registration, Northline Lobby

11:00   “Welcome and Call to Order”, Dr. Lois Avery, Dean of Academics, HCC NE

11:10   “Opening Remarks on the Importance of Civic Engagement in the City Planning Process”, Architect and City Councilman at-Large, Place 1, Peter Brown

11:30  “Importance of Citizens’ Values in Formulating a Growth Plan”, David Crossley and Jay Blazek Crossley, The Gulf Coast Institute  www.gulfcoastinstitute.org
Visual presentations will include lifestyle choices in urban development that are available to city residents based upon their values regarding neighborhood and quality of life issues (landscaping /open space, historic preservation, “walkable” retail and residential, transportation linkages). 

12:00  Facilitated small group discussions to solicit students’ ideas.  Distribution of 6 give-away video games: “Sim City 4”, A computer simulated, city planning game.

12:30  Conclusions & Adjournment to Displays & Exhibits (with snacks provided), Trustees Bruce Austin and Yolanda N. Flores

Displays and exhibits of numerous city and neighborhood planning activities will open in the Lobby beginning Monday, October 15, as a means to promote the event and to pique student’s interest in planning and careers in public administration, culminating with the Workshop on Thursday.  Displays include informal Q & A from representatives of the following civic groups:

a)     METRO North Corridor Rail Line, “Transportation for the Future”.                        Staff from METRO

b)     HCC capital improvements plan for new buildings and campus expansion.    

c)     I-45 Coalition: “Alternative Freeway Improvements” to standard TxDOT proposals for freeway widening, James Schriver & Jim Weston

d)     Citizen’s Transportation Coalition: “Maintaining Choices that Promote Quality of Life”,                  Robin Hotzer

e)     “Washington on Westcott Roundabout Initiative, Inc. (WOW)”  The new traffic circle at Westcott Dr & Washington Ave.                        Monica Savino, President and Architect

 

Join us at Houston Community College Northeast, Northline Campus for this provocative and enlightening seminar on urban planning !!

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