Vision North Texas to explore investment and development alternatives for region

Away from ‘business as usual’

Wendy Natt, Jul 20, 09.

Vision North Texas (VNT) – a private, public and academic partnership – will hold a regional dialogue event on September 18, 2009, where regional leaders, decision-makers and stakeholders will discuss alternatives to the ‘business as usual approach’ in North Texas. Based on the results of VNT’s “alternatives analysis,” their findings show that major change is necessary if the region is to successfully grow.

Dealing with increasing traffic congestion problems, growing water and energy needs, and changing population demographics and market demands will necessitate regional policy change, says VNT, including a new focus on transit-oriented development that creates more transit-accessible work and housing options, and the building of neighborhoods and communities that accommodate the needs of ethnically diverse populations.

A main objective of the regional dialogue event will be to create North Texas 2050, described by VNT as “a regional gamebook for a successful and sustainable region.” Development of the gamebook will be informed by the partnership’s analysis results, which show that different investment decisions and development patterns can produce better choices for the people who will live and work in North Texas, according to VNT.

The partnership believes that a ‘better than business as usual’ approach will mean change for businesses, property owners, cities, counties, residents, schools and other organizations.

Sponsors for this event include the Urban Land Institute’s North Texas District Council, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and the University of Texas at Arlington, all Charter Sponsors of the Vision North Texas partnership.

See our events post for more information on how to participate, and go to www.visionnorthtexas.org.