|
Blueprint For Nevada Task Force
Creating Livable Communities in 24 /7 Towns
In celebration of their 150th Anniversary, the American Institute of Architects gave a gift to America. In 2007, across the nation, 300 local and state AIA Chapters organized community service programs, designed to identify community concerns and devise solutions that would help to create a more livable and sustainable future for all.
In Nevada AIA members joined together in both Reno and Las Vegas to celebrate the AIA150 by working closely with community leaders to create an ongoing program that would improve the beauty, security, sustainability and livability of our cities. Through a series of public forums, town hall meetings, and design charettes AIA architects worked collaboratively with civic and business leaders, government officials and the public to create the “Blueprint for Nevada”.
The “Blueprint” is not only a printed guide that provides information and positive steps that can be taken to enhance the livability and sustainability of our state, but it is also a continuing “task force on sustainability”. The Blueprint for Nevada is a resource, made up of AIA members, affiliated organizations, individual citizens and statewide policy makers who are dedicated to moving our state forward into a better brighter future.
Creating beautiful, livable communities and a more sustainable future begins with the individual citizens. Environmental sustainability and the wise use of natural resources must be a priority to everyone. However, livable, sustainable cities cannot be realized
unless the policy makers in each community make it happen. Government and legislative officials hold the key to instituting the policies, laws and regulations that determine whether or not our cities will be healthy, safe, strong and livable.
AIA Nevada provides this publication, dedicates our resources and pledges to work collaboratively with all who want to build a better future for our state.
Blueprint for Nevada
The leadership and elected officials of our state have the most impact on how livable communities are created. Since 2006 was an election year, AIA Nevada began to create our Blueprint for Nevada by mounting a public awareness campaign designed to educate civic and business leaders, as well as the public, about the importance of sustainability in our growing communities.
We arranged for two public Governor Candidates Forums, one in Las Vegas on May 25, 2006 and one in Reno on June 9, 2006. Both were open to the public and were recorded for broadcast via public radio and television in both ends of the state. All seven candidates for governor were invited to participate and to discuss their plans for making Nevada a more livable state. These forum’s helped to acquaint the public and the candidates with the real community concerns for sustainability and helped to emphasize the importance of our public leaders being educated with regard to our natural resources and the inclusion of sustainable elements in the planning and design of our communities.
The key event in the visioning process occurred during Architecture Week in 2007, when each AIA Chapter held their 24-hour Town Hall Meetings. These were held simultaneously in both Reno and Las Vegas, and resulted in
In Las Vegas, noted environmental and sustainable design architect Sim Van der Ryn, author of “Ecological Design” and “Design for Life”, was the keynote speaker at the 24-Hour Town Hall Meeting, and in Reno, David Arkin, AIA, a disciple of Van der Ryn’s kicked—off the event. These extended Town Hall meeting welcomed input from members of the community who work outside the typical 8 to 5 timeframe. This helped to symbolize the unique 24/7 economies of these two cities and the specific requirements that impact the infrastructure and resources of each city. The 24-Hour Town Hall Meetings allowed the public and city officials to participate with architects in defining a vision for their community and in developing the specific principles of creating a livable community.
Architect-led teams were organized to investigate the specific community issues. They worked to identify problem areas and then devise solutions in the areas of Resources: Water and Energy, Economic Development, Planning & Development, Education, Infrastructure and Wellness, Arts & Culture, Housing, Public Safety and Transportation.
The AIA’s public policies and the Ten Principles of Livable Communities were used as the basis for the 24-Hour Town Hall meetings. The precepts of each principle were used as a specific starting point for each team discussion, presentation and the overall charrette. Each participant received a copy of the AIA’s Ten Principles of Livable Communities, and these were used as reference points in the discussions and through the process of creating the Blueprint for Las Vegas and the Blueprint for Reno.
At the end of the 24-Hour charrette, each team presented their findings and their solutions to an audience that included the mayors of both cities, county commissioners, members of the school boards, and other civic and business leaders. In Las Vegas, Mayor Oscar Goodman declared the session to be “the best two hours I”ve spent in the whole eight years I’ve been in office.” He and the other attendees were so impressed with the Blueprint presentations that they asked for an “Encore Presentation of the Blueprint” so that all members of their staff and legislators could be invited to attend.
The “Encore” presentation was held in Las Vegas on June 16th, 2007. and that was followed by workshops and planning sessions with both the City of Las Vegas and the City of Henderson, Nevada. Both of which have adopted many of the Blueprint recommendations and incorporated sustainable requirements for planning, building and construction.
A Continuing Task Force on Sustainability & Livability
In the coming year, AIA Nevada members will continue to be advocates for the built environment. Inspired by the success of last year’s 24-Hour Town Hall Meetings, and the progress that has been made in Las Vegas and Reno, AIA members, team leaders, business and civic leaders, legislators and affiliated organizations have joined forces and we have established the “Blueprint for Nevada” Committee.
This committee is a “task force” on sustainability that combines the strengths and resources not only of the Nevada, Las Vegas, and Northern Nevada Chapters….but also members of the statewide AIA COTE Committee, the USGBC, the Sierra Club, the Urban Land Institute, members of the State Assembly, representatives from Senator Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley’s offices, and members of City Councils and County Commissioners, all of whom are dedicated to working together to better our communities. By combining the strengths and positive actions of these organizations and individuals, the “task force” becomes a more focused and formidable union. We will utilize the momentum we initiated in 2007 and we can accomplish our ongoing goals.
If you are interested in joining the AIA Blueprint for Nevada Task Force or wish to get more information, please contact Randy Lavigne, Hon. AIA - Executive Director of AIA Nevada and AIA Las Vegas
|
