Going Home…with a new MAPfrom inspiration to innovation

presented at The Meeting of the Minds 2010Omaha, Nebraska

June 17, 2010

Grow the minds to plan the synthesis

to plan the neighborhood to plan the city that thrives.

“Gee! Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more.”

“It's too late to be pessimistic…really, too late.” --- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

This overview presents the why, what and how of a new MAP: Marin Academy of Planning

for citizen planners, civic officials and planning professionals.

Sit, be still, and listen, because you're drunk

and we're at the edge of the roof.--- Rumi

Together we have been to the Emerald City for the last few days…We have met the Wizard…

…and realized our own abilities… and the power we have together.

We are acutely aware of the gap…and the work yet to be done.

The Cowardly Lion, noticing the snow that fallen on the poppy field, says

“Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?”

And, now we are going home…I invite you to take a new MAP with you!

WHY a new MAP?

• We believe in strong, safe, healthy and beautiful communities that work for everyone. • We envision empowering communities to create sustainable cities and towns in Marin County and elsewhere.

•We dream of more self-sufficiency as a county and, paradoxically, more inter-dependence within our neighborhoods.

• We each want to be supported by a resourceful community and fulfilled by making lasting contributions.

• We long to understand and appreciate each other while we leave our place better than we found it.

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We teach planning and design to the community; and community success to planners.

Grow the minds to plan the synthesis to plan the neighborhood to plan the city that thrives.

Grow the minds to plan the synthesis to plan the neighborhood to plan the city that thrives.

We teach community development and engagement to planners; and to the community.

•A new MAP addresses

• familiar planning academy topics and the regulatory process, including necessary reforms• principles of community• rights for nature…assets not resources• community concepts and dynamics• the vision process and action planning• assessments and reporting• politics and local control• and Green valuation.

The Power of Place made conscious…

Wizard of Oz: Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!

No new planning method can succeed without effective community engagement because, in fact, they cannot be separated.

To close the GAP…Our Goals

Apply better tools to teach better planning and community building skills Improve community engagement with dynamic interactive curriculum Anchor the planning academy in resource stewardship

Link neighbors and issues to each other Share the process and curriculum that is transferable

Help create effective, pro-active leaders and processes 

'But you are home,' cries the Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

 

 'All you have to do is wake up.'

How Does A New MAP work ? Emphasize a multi-dimensional/holistic point of view. Integrate community/local expertise into the curriculum. Align the planning process and decisions to multiple perspectives:financial, customer, internal, and learning and growth. Blend hands-on, localized learning experiences with online class delivery, feedback and community-building. Integrate the rights of nature to co-exist into daily practice.

We all benefit from active, reciprocal, respectful relationships with nature.---Judy Schriebman 2010

Consult the Genius of the place in all. ---Alexander Pope

“What have you learned, Dorothy? “ asked the Tin Man.

“Well, I - I think that it - it wasn't enough to just want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em – and it's that –

if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own back yard.

Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with!”

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required. --- Winston Churchill

• Now that you are here, it’s easy to follow-through.• Consider providing your email to receive updates about the curriculum/schedule• Become an Advisory Board member• Become an Instructor or Coach• Link us to your website (anewmap.org)• Consider closing the funding gap• Contribute to our tax-deductible nonprofit• Send us your community leaders, your planners, architects, planning commissioners and leaders• Provide a scholarship or matching grant challenge• Send us your feedback and proposals

We invite you to move from today's inspiration… to tomorrow's innovations with a new MAP.

As you are going home, ask: How well is your neighborhood designed and planned?

We invite you to move from today's inspirationsto tomorrow's innovations and …take a new MAP with you!

anewmap.org – info@anewmap.orgqualified nonprofit 501(c)3 project of MarinLink

Your donation is tax deductible.