Big Water Consulting’s Post

Great article Brett Schwartz on the value of #partnerships, #collaboration, and #developmentdistricts. Thank you for providing real world examples of the true impact the Districts have on #economicdevelopment and #resiliency especially in the central states and #ruralcommunities. They illustrate the importance of tried and true funding for Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance or #PWEAA. https://lnkd.in/guUbts8k

Designated by EDA, "...the work of EDDs is broad and often takes place out of the spotlight, yet is often instrumental in making many programs, projects, and initiatives come to life." 🗞️ Read more about Economic Development Districts (EDDs) from The Daily Yonder #EconomicDevelopment #RuralCommunities #EconomicResilience

Thank you Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group for convening this important conversation about climate change and climate-driven migration, with reflections from IA and others on how we proactively prepare our communities to be resilient, equitable, and welcoming in the face of this new future. "Invest Appalachia is using capital in innovative ways to support regional enterprise development, housing, and micropolitan downtown development. They aim to get ahead of the curve to develop downtowns so that local communities retain ownership and control of regional and local assets, another of the Thrive Rural Framework’s building blocks. To take advantage of a potential development boom, local people and organizations must have a stake in ownership of land, businesses, and assets." https://lnkd.in/epSw4htH

The Town of Riverview is in the process of creating and implementing a new Community Economic Development Strategy. The foundation of the proposed strategy is built on the values of collaboration, creativity, diversity, and vitality so that we can all move Riverview closer to becoming a "welcoming and prosperous community for all.”   Community members are invited to join us for a public consultation and presentation of the preliminary strategy and be a part of Riverview’s evolution! We would also encourage all participants to take a few minutes, whether or not you plan to attend a session, to fill out the Community Economic Development Strategy online survey to capture your feedback.  https://ow.ly/3AhN50S7EbW Here are the public consultation details: 🤷♂️ What: Community Economic Development Strategy 📅 When: Thursday, June 20th, 12 p.m. and/or 7 p.m.   ⏱️ How Long: 2 hours  📍 Where: Council Chambers, Riverview Town Hall, 30 Honour House Court 🍪 Snacks: You can count on it!   To prepare for this session, some context is important! Please consult the news article on our website titled “Community Voices Wanted: Help Shape Riverview’s Economic Runway” to get familiar with the different objectives of the Municipal Plan and the Community Economic Development Strategy. By working together, these plans ensure that as our town grows, it does so in a way that’s well-organized, sustainable, and economically viable, while providing the services and quality of life we all enjoy. 

On behalf of Neighbor to Neighbor Massachusetts, Researcher Deja Garraway, Research Assistant Lila McNamee, Assistant Researcher Sumera Patel, and Principal Economist Liz Stanton, PhD prepared a report discussing the potential benefits of community land trusts and community microgrids in the City of Lynn, Massachusetts. In particular, AEC finds that community land trusts and microgrids provide an opportunity to improve affordable housing outcomes for low-to-moderate income communities in the City of Lynn by, for example, supporting more permanent affordable housing, encouraging community empowerment and counteracting gentrification-induced displacement. AEC offers four recommendations for Lynn communities to take ownership of their electric production, create long-term sustainable housing options, and provide homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income communities: 1.   Promote awareness and knowledge of the community land trust and microgrid models, 2.   Build capacity by providing funding to bring projects to scale, 3.   Promote the development of affordable housing options with land acquisition, and 4.   Foster long-term sustainability of community land trusts and microgrids. https://lnkd.in/e_sRX6jU

Sharing the take-a-ways from our recent ROADs Webinar Collaboration with Rural LISC on federal opportunities related to rural broadband investments. The larger question of a sustainable cost for residents in rural places remains to be resolved however.

I am grateful to share new research published in collaboration with Katherine Idziorek, PhD, AICP titled, "Achieving 10-Min Neighborhoods in Underinvested Communities: Understanding Transportation Opportunities and Challenges through Resident Stories." In this study we focus on Charlotte, NC's 10 minute neighborhood policy to learn from residents living in historically underinvested communities and the current challenges and barriers they face getting to important services and amenities (grocery stores, clinics, schools, etc). Our results identify important destinations often overlooked in chrono-urbanism policy goals and highlight ways in which layered transportation barriers contribute to a condition of time poverty and transportation disadvantage for many residents. We conclude with recommendations to guide planners in contextualizing chrono-urbanism policy goals to better serve residents of underinvested urban communities. Check out our article! https://lnkd.in/ead3KHQa

The article explores the role of bottom-up participation in strengthening community resilience in urban spaces, focusing on civil society initiatives in Berlin. It emphasizes the importance of governance processes to fully leverage the potential of bottom-up participation for community resilience. The study highlights the positive impact of civic engagement on resilience and emphasizes the need for inclusive and diverse community involvement. Highlights: - The study analyzes the impact of bottom-up participation on community resilience in Berlin. - It identifies governance processes necessary to unlock the full potential of bottom-up participation for community resilience. - Civic engagement plays a key role in fostering resilience, but inclusive and diverse community involvement is crucial for long-term resilience. - The article discusses the concept of community resilience and its importance in urban spaces. - It explores the potential of civil society engagement in fostering transformative changes in cities. Why is this relevant? This article sheds light on the significant role that bottom-up participation and civic engagement play in strengthening community resilience in urban spaces. By analyzing the case of Berlin, it highlights the positive impact of civil society initiatives on resilience. This research is relevant to civil society organizations, policymakers, and urban planners as it emphasizes the need for inclusive and diverse community involvement in order to build long-term resilience. Understanding the dynamics between bottom-up participation and governance processes is crucial for promoting community-driven urban transformation and enhancing societal well-being. Moreover, community resilience is not only essential for thriving in times of change and uncertainty but also contributes to national security by fostering social cohesion and adaptive capacities within communities. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eYJR7qzA #CommunityResilience #UrbanTransformation #CivicEngagement #InclusiveParticipation #BottomUpParticipation

"Great parks should not uproot communities: Green gentrification risk factors and anti-displacement options" is an important new report by my colleague Alessandro Rigolon for the Trust for Public Land: https://lnkd.in/gw-DUvma The report addresses two questions: 1) What are the risk factors for green gentrification, and 2) What strategies and tools are most effective in avoiding displacement. Risk factors include features of greenspace projects (such as large greenway projects) and features of the community settings (such as proximity to downtown). Preventive strategies include housing policies, support for local small businesses, hiring strategies in park agencies, community empowerment, and greenspace designs and programs that reflect their communities. All of these findings are grounded in empirical research, which the report systematically reviews and summarizes. The report is an invaluable resource for everyone working in this field.

Transforming Cities for Social Equity: Discover the Power of Urban Renewal! 🌆 Exciting news! I've just published a comprehensive blog post on how urban renewal enhances social equity, and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you. 🌟 In this detailed article, you'll learn how revitalizing urban areas can: Increase affordable housing 🏡 Improve access to public services 🏥 Create economic opportunities 💼 Enhance public spaces 🌳 Foster community engagement 🤝 Urban renewal has the potential to transform neglected areas into vibrant, inclusive communities, ensuring everyone benefits from the growth and development of our cities. Whether you're an urban planner, community advocate, or just passionate about social equity, this blog post offers valuable insights and real-world examples of successful urban renewal projects. 📌 Read the full article here: https://wix.to/LFgF9bW Let's discuss how urban renewal can lead to a brighter, more equitable future for all. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! #UrbanRenewal #SocialEquity #CommunityDevelopment #AffordableHousing #SustainableCities #UrbanPlanning