Posted on 06/28/2012 1:50:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
..[SNIP]...The plan is led by a consortium established jointly by the South Florida Regional Planning Council and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and is funded by a $4.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some 200 public agencies, advocates, business and academic groups are involved, including county and city planners, elected officials, major universities and chambers of commerce.
..[SNIP]..HUD has issued similar grants to 45 U.S. regions in an effort to get more bang for its economic development dollars as federal outlays shrink amid increasing demand. HUD wants to focus its funding on places with smart strategic plans that can best take advantage of the money.
The project builds on a new body of research suggesting that the world economy will be increasingly driven by such super- or mega-regions, especially those with the most efficient transportation systems, diversified businesses, cultural assets and skilled workforces.
The Southeast Florida super-region, Dover said, is poised to become one of the most important in the world given its sea and air ports, its growing and diverse population and its international trade connections.
But it also must grapple with obvious problems. Among those enumerated by summit participants: inadequate mass transit, threats to the Everglades and the region’s water quality and supply, subpar public schools and an economy overly dependent on tourism and real-estate development.
And hanging over its future are the uncertain perils posed by sea-level rise, which Pierce, the keynote speaker, described as “ominous’’ and “terrifying.’’ New studies say that much of the southern end of Florida could be under water by the end of the century.
Though organizers haven’t endorsed any particular approach, and said they’re reluctant to apply any labels to the effort, much of what emerged from Wednesday’s preliminary discussions fell broadly within the tenets of so-called “smart growth’’ — channeling growth away from natural areas and into urban centers.
That doesn’t mean suburban development doesn’t fit in, organizers said. But Rutgers University urban economist Bob Burchell told the conclave that demographic change by itself will sharply reduce demand for suburban homes in coming years as Baby Boomers retire and die. Younger generations may not have the income or need to buy those homes, he said, noting that projections show that 74 percent of all U.S. households will not have children, by 2040.
To develop the plan, which is due into U.S. HUD in 2014, organizers will formalize six working groups to develop goals around key issues, including transportation, economic development, education and environment. The groups will report back at the next summit in January. The plan, including a strategy for implementing key recommendations, will be refined at two later summits. Big ideas floated Wednesday included establishing a super-regional rail transportation system, and promoting the creation of alluring, liveable places and walkable urban centers, especially in sprawling suburbs — what project consultant Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, dean of the University of Miami architecture school and a renown planner, called “sprawl repair.’’
Organizers were "shocked" by the number of people who showed up and registered.
No doubt they were looking for the "GREEN."
You should note...hidden in the whole announcement...is this comment of “big-rail”, which means a massive amount of money will be demanded somewhere down the line and the public will wake up to this demand for more cash and taxation.
I would also imagine that various groups of well-to-do real estate speculators have gotten the right tracks of property under their ownership. Within ten years, they will all triple their money easily, if the plan goes forward.
One of many threads that have covered the topic...
The Delphi Technique: Let’s Stop Being Manipulated! (oldie but goodie)
SCAM
They want to herd the proletariat into inner city ghettos, which leaves the “suburbs” free of undesirables, and open up lots of free space for the ruling class to build their walled dachas, safely away from the restive rabble.
This week Orange County commissioners appeared captivated, even giddy, at the idea of a magnetically levitated train between the airport and the convention center.
Think of the gullible townsfolk in an episode of The Simpsons, the one when Springfield decides to buy a monorail system.
“Monorail!” they sing joyously from the steps of the town hall.
There weren’t any big musical numbers inside the commission chambers, but there was plenty of enthusiasm.
“I’m eager that we get started on this process,” gushed Commissioner Fred Brummer. “My concern is about how we should proceed, rather than whether or not we should proceed.”
Brummer’s like Springfield’s Mayor Quimby, who begs the departing monorail salesman, “Just tell us your idea, and we’ll vote for it!”
What’s not to like?
Tony Morris, chief executive of American Maglev Technologies Inc., made the kind of pitch that no elected official could resist.
The $315 million maglev train will reduce traffic congestion! It’s green! It will create jobs! And, best of all, it’s free!..........................................
The planning masterminds have it all figured out. Where you are going to live, the time you get up, your morning exercises, your breakfast, when and where you go to work, how you get there, lunch, dinner, what you see on the news, your evening entertainment, and the time you go to bed. All planned by masterminds who have nothing but your best interests at heart. Life will be one big luxury cruise. Except you can’t get off the boat.
This reeks of U.N. ICLEI.
I should have stated that it STINKS of U.N. ICLEI.
The latest buzzword of the elites is “sustainable”.
This—from the folks who have brought us seventy years of unsustainable social programs.
They think we are very very stupid.
Unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats planning the future for millions of people. What a swell idea. Did the Marxists fly the swastika flag or the hammer and sickle?
Meetings like this should be met with derision and scorn. Pictures of Hitler and Stalin should be hanging on the walls. These pigs should be greeted with sieg heil salutes.
Good point.
I guess they think there is a bottomless pile of money out there so we can not only have free welfare cards (usable for any purchase or at any casino) for everyone but also a light rail stop at every home.
You are on the money with the developer comment...it is the I’ve got mine and NIMBY concepts amalgamated.
As an aside, I was watching CSI Miama reruns the other evening when I said to my wife, gee, Miami looks so wonderful on this show....pristine beaches, everyone living in a castle most with docked boats, the best of automobiles, wonderful clubs and bimbos galore. The truth is another matter.
South Florida is not part of the Southern United States.
These are transplanted New Yorkers that want to live in a sterile environment, where stores are fully stocked, but cargo trucks are banned from view.
“...organizers will formalize six working groups to develop goals around key issues, including transportation, economic development, education and environment.”
These are transplanted New Yorkers...
Yep. More power, more bribes, and more kickbacks. Broward county which has a one party system is unbelievably corrupt when it comes to anything involving the local government and real estate.
Maybe that's because it's most filmed in southern California with some stock footage from Miami thrown in.
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