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From Our President
Are you familiar with GIS or Geographical Information Systems? Chances are, if you are a regular reader of 10,000 Friends E-Update, that you are very familiar with this useful tool. According to ESRI, a company which develops and markets the technology, GIS is defined as "computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analysis benefits offered by maps." You have likely used a GIS map if you search the internet for driving or walking directions. I've seen the technology used in many applications, from making decisions on effectively deploying police resources by mapping crime hot spots to determining where to successfully locate a retail business. It is mind boggling how layers of data can be incorporated into a map to provide unparalleled levels of information. The applications for GIS seemingly are unlimited. Ed Wilson, Vice President (and resident researcher) for 10,000 Friends is quite adept at using GIS technology and mapping information. In a recent staff meeting Ed mentioned the possibility of mapping some of the best practices in land use and local governance that are occurring in Pennsylvania. It's an interesting concept and intriguing to think about the GIS map that might be created. One great example is the Greater Pottstown region in Montgomery County. ...More |
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10,000 Friends and Good Schools PA Work Together To Develop Common Policy Agenda
Land-use policy, infrastructure policy, education policy, tax policy: stuffing our ideas into these categories called "silos" might make it easier for advocates,
policy makers, and funders to communicate with each other. But it isn't so comparmentalized on the ground. In communities across the state, the combined impact
of declining infrastructure and housing stock, poor schools, and high taxes
combine to influence individual citizens' choices about where they work
and live.
In
Southeastern PA, 10,000 Friends has joined with Good Schools PA in a strategic
partnership with the Southeastern PA First Suburbs Project to develop a common
policy agenda designed to identify the most significant factors that
are causing disinvestment in our older communities. The idea is to break down the silos. With leaders from across
municipal and county lines, we are coming together
to design policy solutions which will revitalize the older developed communities
throughout the region.
On September 17-18, representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project will participate in the Building One America summit in Washington, D.C. The summit will highlight the policies, programs and strategies that have proven successful in combating concentrated poverty and sprawl.
We have ample evidence that Pennsylvania's historic system of education finance is a de facto housing policy: Communities without sufficient tax bases end up levying some of the highest tax rates in the state just to keep their heads above water. The high tax rate, in turn, discourages residential and commercial investment in one place, while encouraging it elsewhere - typically in Pennsylvania's dwindling open spaces.
At the Building One America summit, you will hear David Rusk of the Innovative Housing Institute discuss how housing policy is also inherently school policy. A national leader in regionalism, Rusk is knowledgeable about Pennsylvania's particulars, having worked recently with community leaders in York County.
If you are interested in this issues, consider attending the Building One America summit. Good Schools Pennsylvania has a limited number of slots reserved to offer to leaders who want to participate in the Pennsylvania delegation. For more information, contact Good Schools Pennsylvania at info@goodschoolspa.org.
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Commonwealth Awards Project Earns LEED Silver
 The Duquesne Power Center, a mixed-use redevelopment project in Pittsburgh, has continued to make headlines for its commitment to sustainability. After being honored at the 2009 Commonwealth Awards with a bronze award, this project has now officially been recognized as a green building by earning the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
"We are very pleased to have achieved LEED Silver Rating for the Power Center," said President Charles
J. Dougherty. "Respect for the environment is aligned with our mission
and shapes both academic and business decisions. This accomplishment
required a strong effort from our facilities management employees. We
commend them for their work and for setting environmental targets for
operational processes."
Located on what was once an unattractive, blighted area, the Power
Center is now part of a growing commercial district that serves both
the students of Duquesne University and downtown Pittsburgh visitors.
By working closely with the City and other partners, Duquesne showed a
commitment to meeting both the University's goals and the community's
needs. It has also set a standard for other development that is now
under way in the area of Pittsburgh's new sports arena.
10,000 Friends commends the Duquesne Power Center and all Commonwealth Award Winners for showing commitment to building sustainable communities across Pennsylvania.
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New Book Shares Innovative Development Strategies
 Fixing Broken Cities: The Implementation Of Urban Development Strategies, the new book by John Kromer, has just been published. As Senior Consultant at the Fels Institute of Government, John has worked collaboratively with 10,000 Friends on several projects, including the organization of the first statewide conference on "Vacant Property in Pennsylvania Cities and Towns." Based in large part on John's firsthand experience, Fixing Broken Cities describes a variety of urban investment strategies, including Philadelphia's ten-year tax abatement incentive, Mayor John F. Street's $300 million Neighborhood Transformation Initiative, and Allentown's struggle to defend its neighborhoods against predatory absentee rental property owners. Other chapters examine institutional investment in off-campus neighborhoods, the organization and performance of downtown management organizations, and the revitalization of deteriorating neighborhood retail districts. Completed just after President Obama's inauguration, the book's final chapter on "The Future of Reinvestment" contains proposals for realigning existing federal, state, and municipal urban development policies to reposition cities for future success. Readers of our E-Update can receive a 20% discount and free shipping by ordering the book through the publisher (www.routledge.com) and using the discount code FID09. More information about Fixing Broken Cities can be found at http://sites.google.com/site/fixingbrokencitiesbook/. |
EPA Releases New Guidebook to Encourage Smarter Community Design and Healthier Living for Seniors
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new guidebook to help older adults access information about the importance of environmentally friendly community design and how to become involved in decisions about what is termed as "smart growth." Smart growth covers a range of development and conservation strategies that help protect our natural environment and make our communities more attractive, economically stronger and more socially diverse.
Growing Smarter, Living Healthier: A Guide to Smart Growth and Active Aging addresses the basic principles of "age-friendly" neighborhoods and town designs that are healthier for people and the environment.
The guide offers suggestions and links to resources to learn more about how to remake neighborhoods to get around easier, whether someone lives in a city, suburb or small town. It also presents ideas for getting involved, providing housing options and gathering places, eating healthier and making it easier to carry out daily activities.
The guidebook also contains a self-assessment tool that allows communities to rate themselves based on how they are following the principles of smart growth.
To access the guidebook: http://www.epa.gov/aging/bhc/guide/index.html
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Coalition For Smart Growth Plans Lancaster Summit
With Lancaster County's population expected to grow by 75,000 residents in the next 20 years, the Coalition for Smart Growth will explore "The Cost of Growth and What it Means to Our Community" during its annual summit Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Farm and Home Center in Lancaster.
"Along with this increase in growth, the Lancaster County Planning Commission has projected 40,000 new homes to be built," said Carolyn French, president of Coalition for Smart Growth. "Clearly, this is going to have implications for everyone: from residents who already live here to county and local government leaders to businesses and industries who employ and provide services. We advocate looking ahead and this summit is vital to our planning and preparations for the future."
The summit will address several fundamental questions, such as how do the decisions officials make about how the county grows affect the costs of providing infrastructure and needed services, and how do those decisions affect the county's agricultural and historic resources?
The keynote speaker for the summit will be Joanne Denworth, senior policy manager for Gov. Edward Rendell. In her role, she develops and promotes responsible land-use policies and interagency cooperation among key state agencies. Among her responsibilities are coordinating reinvestment policies among state agencies and working with the newly reactivated State Planning Board. Before her appointment, Joanne was the founder and President of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and served as the President of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council for twelve years.
For more information, visit the Coalition For Smart Growth website.
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More Smart Growth News From 10,000 Friends
 As part of out ongoing effort to bring you the most relevant smart growth news from around Pennsylvania and beyond, 10,000 Friends now offers the "News" section of our web site available as an RSS feed. By adding this feed to a service such as Google Reader, you can receive current news highlights from 10,000 Friends as we add them to our website. We believe this tool will help you to stay informed of the many important issues facing Pennsylvania's communities every day.  10,000 Friends has also joined the growing network of Twitter where we are connecting with Pennsylvania's political leaders, partner nonprofit organizations, and activists interested in our issues. If you are also a Twitter user, you can follow us @10000friends. Look for more ways to stay in touch in the future! |
Stay Connected
10,000
Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and
individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that
will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and
rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive
agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and
state leaders.
We update our site regularly with articles, opportunities and links, so please bookmark the home page of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and stop by often.
Our e-newsletters are designed to keep you in the loop on all of our activities. Click Join Our Mailing List! in the top right column to choose the e-newsletters you'd like to receive.
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