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Central Iowa Regional Plan for Sustainable Development

Central Iowa Regional Plan for Sustainable Development. Bethany Wilcoxon Des Moines Area MPO February 1, 2011. The Region. Located in the heart of Iowa Most populous area in the state During 2010 Legislative session, the Iowa Smart Planning Principles were passed. The Region.

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Central Iowa Regional Plan for Sustainable Development

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  1. Central Iowa Regional Plan for Sustainable Development Bethany Wilcoxon Des Moines Area MPO February 1, 2011

  2. The Region Located in the heart of Iowa Most populous area in the state During 2010 Legislative session, the Iowa Smart Planning Principles were passed

  3. The Region • Lies at the crossroads of Interstates 35 & 80 • 18 communities and portions of 4 counties • 542 square miles • Approximately 480,000 residents in the area • Urban and rural areas

  4. The Project • Awarded $2 million to create a regional plan for sustainable development (RPSD) • Will leverage almost $1.1 million in local funds • Essentially starting with a blank slate • The RPSD will: • Provide a comprehensive framework for future development • Engage the public to establish the region’s vision for the next forty years • Ensure that all components align

  5. The Project • Development of the plan will be divided into three phases: • Data collection and creation of an alternative scenarios model • Visioning • Creation of plan • The process will include a multitude of public participation opportunities • To be truly successful, citizens need to drive the process • Will seek out those populations traditionally marginalized in the planning process

  6. Current Status of Regional Planning • No unifying vision or organization guiding central Iowa’s development • The MPO creates a long-range regional transportation plan • Central Iowa does not have a council of governments or similar organization • No regional housing, land use, environmental, or economic development plans • Disjointed progress is underway

  7. Why Now? • State of Iowa’s increased commitment to planning • Opportunity to serve as a model for the state regarding regional planning • Leaders realize that the region lies at the crossroads of: • Autonomy and collaboration • Status quo and creating a more sustainable future

  8. Why Now? Approximately half of area residents spend more than 45% of their income on housing and transportation costs Over 95% of all area trips utilize automobiles Major flooding events are occurring more often Current population is expected to grow by 40% by 2035

  9. Why Now? • Maintain the region’s position on various best cities lists in order to attract future investments • Connect other efforts already underway • DART Forward 2035 Plan • Capital Crossroads • STAR Community Index

  10. Building the Coalition • Imperative to include numerous interests from the beginning • Local mayors, city council members, county supervisors, and city managers • Local planners • Strategically select Steering Committee members

  11. Building the Coalition • Establish a partners committee to be inclusive of all interests, both public and private • BRAVO • Central Iowa Greenways • DART • Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority • Des Moines Water Works • Greater Des Moines Partnership • Iowa Plug-In Electric Vehicle Stakeholders Group • Iowa State University • Iowa Food Systems Council • Polk County Housing Trust Fund • Polk Soil & Water Conservation District • United Way of Central Iowa

  12. Challenges • Determining which entity will lead the project • Considered the MPO, the City of Des Moines, Polk County, a non-profit organization, a foundation, or an educational institution • Several reasons leaders selected the MPO • Moving beyond the traditional transportation focus of the MPO

  13. Challenges • Implementing the plan • How do we ensure that the plan does not merely sit on a shelf? • What kind of authority will there be to implement?

  14. Keys to Success • Build a strong coalition, even in the project exploration phase • Greatly helped central Iowa in both its application and in its current work • Leverage existing relationships and on-going projects • View as complementary, not competing, endeavors

  15. Keys to Success Ask questions Identify advisory communities and leverage their experiences

  16. More Information Online: www.dmampo.org/sustainability.html Phone: 515.334.0075 Email: bwilcoxon@dmampo.org

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