Greater New Orleans Regional Land Use Modeling GIS Techniques in a P olitical C ontext Louisiana Remote Sensing and GIS Workshop Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Working Towards a Shared Regional Vision Introduction and Project Overview
Livable Communities Quality of Life Vitality of Place Sustainability Our Core Value: Livability
The Benefits of A Regional Vision Speak with one voice Develop strong communities and high quality-of-life Establish shared priorities for development, preservation, etc. Identify best way to use limited resources Examine costs and impacts of development decisions An integrated strategy to address issues/concerns which effect multiple jurisdictions
Thriving Regions Define Their Future Encourage investment/reinvestment Maintain a high quality-of-life Allow opportunities for growth Provide a variety and choice of housing and mobility options for aging population Support development of efficient infrastructure Identify critical conservation areas Manage air quality program objectives
What About Our Parish/Local Plans? Parish/Local comprehensive plans define and address development and planning issues/challenges Some have updated their plans or are in the process of developing plans Do recent events cause us to think differently about our future?
Role of the Project Advisory Committee Confirm status of existing comprehensive plans and available data resources Review and identify items/issues of regional planning significance Define parameters for a scenario modeling exercise Identify a draft updated regional vision
Role of the Scenario Planning Model Assist local decision makers in decision-making, not a final authority Will integrate with existing technologies and capabilities Takes into account the local condition and unique geography
Tying it All Together Our regional vision comes from local comprehensive plans Are there programs/best practices which we could learn from to support the vision? What future opportunities exist to implement key projects which support our regional vision?
Regional Vision Parameters Principles Those items identified as core traits within the region. Indicators Those items identified to measure changes with to the region. Policies Those necessary actions which help the region progress.
JULY 2010 DECEMBER 2012 Project Timeline Initial Data Collection Status of Comprehensive Plans (Parish Level) Identification of Project Planning Methodology General Visioning Review Meeting Identify draft regional vision Investigation of Scenario Modeling Software Options and Data Needs Planning Director s Meeting Planning Methodology and Review Identify Regional Vision Report to RPC Commission Policy development
Overall Strategy to make this work Gain the trust of each parish and municipal planning director or staff so that they will participate in the exercise Make the exercise relevant and give them something back they may need Listen and adapt to their requirements but give them workable ideas Beg, promise and pray
Our Common Planning Themes and Principles Vitalization and Revitalization Encouraging land use patterns that create vibrant communities. Address opportunities presented by the challenges of blighted, vacant and underutilized properties. 1. Enhance existing communities 2. Foster attractive places Resiliency Possessing the ability to "bounce back" or resume activities quickly following either a natural or manmade catastrophe or any other unforeseen interruption as a result of sound strategic investment and advanced planning. 3. Protect, conserve and restore environmentally sensitive areas 4. Minimize risk for property owners 5. Embrace technologies and concepts that make infrastructure stronger, cleaner and more durable.
Our Common Planning Themes and Principals Accessibility Providing community members broad opportunities to access services, facilities, amenities, and jobs by removing either physical or policy barriers and providing a variety of viable choices for both housing type or transportation mode. 6. Provide a variety of transportation choices to improve connectivity 7. Create a range of housing opportunities 8. Make strong neighborhoods through proximate public facilities and amenities 9. Encourage the development of mixed land uses to create walkable, vibrant places Prosperity The flourishing of economic activity, as a result of attracting and securing capital investment that provides for growth of new opportunities or stabilizes existing development. 10. Provide the amenities and infrastructure that attract people to live, work and invest
Our Common Planning Themes and Principals Preservation Conserving the historical or, cultural, or environmental elements which define an area's unique identity, heritage or way of life. 11. Preserve the region s unique cultural resources and essential character 12. Promote environmental benefits of preservation
Scenario Modeling Index Software as an Extension to ArcGIS 9.3.1 Editor or above 7/8/2010
Local Land-Use Plans & Metropolitan Transportation Plan RPC gathered the existing and future land use from each parish and city and created a common land use theme categorization using APA LBCS activity levels between one and two working with planning directors It was determined that a minimum of a 10 acre grid fishnet for land use, population change and employment data would sufficiently bring enough generalization to the future land use data for planning directors to fee comfortable talking together Consultants decided 10 acre grid was too cumbersome for the software and pushed us to the 40 acre grid
a bad representation of basic population change by a geographic boundary too large to tell the story Don t let consultants present information you haven t seen before at meetings this did more harm than good
Mapping the Regional Growth Framework the common ground we started with What Lands Are Already Protected As Non-Buildable? (01) Which Lands Should Be Protected & Conserved? (02 & G1) Where Are Established Neighborhoods With Limited Infill Potential? (G2 &G4) Where Are Regional Centers & Corridors With Significant Growth Potential? (G3)
Framework of Regional Sectors for Future Land-Uses
Regional Growth Framework Assembly 3-Day INDEX Digital Charrette A lesson in how tough it can be to make sure we are speaking a common language
Guiding Philosophy Everything you do is guided by Semantics The Language you create to explain your modeling intentions will determine your success or failure Listen and adjust to the needs of your participants It s about trust if you are trying to establish a new direction
Day 1 : Restricted by Government Covenant Day 1: Protected / Restricted Areas
Day 1: Reserved for Protection
Day 2: Possible Conservation Areas
Day 2: Established Suburban Neighborhoods
Day 2: Small Town Centers
Day 2: Suburban Centers
Day 3: Established Urban Neighborhoods
Day 3: Urban Centers
Day 3: Regional Centers
Day 3: Regional Corridors the Long Range Transportation Plan
Next Steps: 1. Published regional vision report 2. Interactive scenario builder online 3. Applying a common model at the local level in pilot projects with each community
Thank You! QUESTIONS? Greater New Orleans Regional Vision www.norpc.org Ldupont@norpc.org