For Planning's Sake...It's Time for a Change of Perspective
Why planners, developers, conservationists, and landowners should take another look at what they (and each other) are doing.
It's something we all fail to do. We get so busy doing what we're doing that we fail to pick our heads up and take a look around to see what others are doing, and more importantly, take the time to learn why.
As a landowner, particularly as a rancher, day to day issues keep us busy year round. Other than a few meetings a year, we rarely have the time to sit and discuss the big picture items that should guide our day to day activities. Why are we considering new pivots? Why enhance upland bird and waterfowl habitats? What kind of place are we trying to create here? How can we make that happen? A neighbor calls, says some cows are out or a ditch is leaking, and we're outdoors again, the meeting ended and nothing resolved.
Conservationists face similar crises. As not-for-profit organizations, fundraising is a constant struggle. Building relationships with landowners, reacting to plans for a new subdivision, or staving off political opposition keep these groups on their collective toes.
Developers find a project, circle their wagons and fend off all challengers until, sometimes through attrition, they manage to get a project approved and off the ground. They are not always successful, but when they are, much money and man-hours have been wasted defending their turf, their project, and their profits.
Planners, somehow, are to coordinate these disparate groups and their various goals. Now add to that pressure from overly ambitious politicians and the pressure of unending public scrutiny.
Common to all stakeholders, is the need to extract as much as possible as quickly as possible, because there is no certainty of what the future might bring. Landowners sell for as much as they can, developers build to the absolute parcel line, and conservationists protect as many acres as possible. Each of these do what they can with what they have. Few, if any, do what is best-suited for what they have, wetlands are bulldozed for agriculture, prime soils are paved over for parking lots, and appropriate developments are stifled, because they are, well... developments.
As everyone fights for their own self-interest, someone is bound to get trampled. Time and again, it seems to be the environment that is the biggest loser. Notice I say the 'environment' not the organizations. Land development and conservation is not a zero-sum game. There are ways to coordinate conservation and development to benefit to everyone.
Broadening perceptions can add incredible value to a communities' development by reducing the fear and uncertainty of growth and its impacts.
It starts by taking a step back and taking a look around.
It's something we all fail to do. We get so busy doing what we're doing that we fail to pick our heads up and take a look around to see what others are doing, and more importantly, take the time to learn why.
As a landowner, particularly as a rancher, day to day issues keep us busy year round. Other than a few meetings a year, we rarely have the time to sit and discuss the big picture items that should guide our day to day activities. Why are we considering new pivots? Why enhance upland bird and waterfowl habitats? What kind of place are we trying to create here? How can we make that happen? A neighbor calls, says some cows are out or a ditch is leaking, and we're outdoors again, the meeting ended and nothing resolved.
Conservationists face similar crises. As not-for-profit organizations, fundraising is a constant struggle. Building relationships with landowners, reacting to plans for a new subdivision, or staving off political opposition keep these groups on their collective toes.
Developers find a project, circle their wagons and fend off all challengers until, sometimes through attrition, they manage to get a project approved and off the ground. They are not always successful, but when they are, much money and man-hours have been wasted defending their turf, their project, and their profits.
Planners, somehow, are to coordinate these disparate groups and their various goals. Now add to that pressure from overly ambitious politicians and the pressure of unending public scrutiny.
Common to all stakeholders, is the need to extract as much as possible as quickly as possible, because there is no certainty of what the future might bring. Landowners sell for as much as they can, developers build to the absolute parcel line, and conservationists protect as many acres as possible. Each of these do what they can with what they have. Few, if any, do what is best-suited for what they have, wetlands are bulldozed for agriculture, prime soils are paved over for parking lots, and appropriate developments are stifled, because they are, well... developments.
As everyone fights for their own self-interest, someone is bound to get trampled. Time and again, it seems to be the environment that is the biggest loser. Notice I say the 'environment' not the organizations. Land development and conservation is not a zero-sum game. There are ways to coordinate conservation and development to benefit to everyone.
Broadening perceptions can add incredible value to a communities' development by reducing the fear and uncertainty of growth and its impacts.
It starts by taking a step back and taking a look around.
Thanks for reading... David
posted by David Renkert at 8:22 PM
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