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Florida Atlantic University

CUES News
An update from the Anthony James Catanese Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions (CUES) at Florida Atlantic University
March 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:
 
CUES Celebrates Release of Third Regional Indicators Report

Charting the Course: Where is South Florida Heading? reports the dynamic changes that South Florida is experiencing. It uses projections and expert commentary to image its future in 2030, focusing on the emergence of the regional geography as critical for addressing important issues. There are two overriding challenges that South Florida must be able to meet. First, it must be able to grow physically in a manner that is sustainable. Second, it must be able to develop its economy in a way that assures prosperity. Clearly these two challenges are related, but succeeding at one does not assure success with the other. The direction and changes that are propelling the region are key to understanding the future and steering it towards sustainability and prosperity. The report examines the impact of rapid population growth on the region’s people, environment, and economy and more importantly, it also raises issues for informed discussion about whether projected trends will lead to future sustainability and prosperity in the region.

Charting the Course can be found on CUES’ regional indicators website, www.soflo.org. In the coming months, we will be incorporating data sets collected for Charting the Course. CUES staff will gladly make presentations on this publication to organizations throughout the region. For more information on this project, please contact Lindsay Walker at lowalker@fau.edu.
 

 
 

The South Florida Regional Resource Center (SFRRC) is seeking nominations for its Third Annual Regional Excellence Awards Luncheon to be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2006 at The Westin Ft. Lauderdale.

For the past two years, the South Florida Regional Resource Center has hosted this well attended event, honoring individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities who have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering regional thinking and action in Southeast Florida.

Past recipients of the awards include: Henry Dean, formerly of the South Florida Water Management District, Broward Commissioner Ilene Lieberman, the South Florida Regional Business Alliance, VisionBROWARD, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 4, the ICoast, the State Road 7/US-441Collaborative, and the South Florida Economic Summit 2004-2005.

The SFRRC is a partnership between the Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions at Florida Atlantic University, the Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc., and the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils and is generously supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

The SFRRC, through its partners, works to ensure that local groups, partner organizations, and other public and private regional entities work productively together to shape regional public policy in Southeast Florida.

For more information, contact:
George Gadson, Regional Coordinator
South Florida Regional Resource Center
Florida Atlantic University
954-762-5623
ggadson@fau.edu
www.sfrrc.net


 

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Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast’s Final Report Goes to Press

The Final Report of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (CSTC) is now available.. The Committee was created under Executive Order from Governor Bush with support from State Senator Ken Pruitt to address the complex growth challenges in Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. CUES served as staff to the CSTC who met from April 2004 to September 2005. The printed report was made possible through a technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Key members of the CSTC are currently working on the development of a non-profit organization, Sustainable Treasure Coast, Inc., (STC) to promote implementation of the Action Steps identified in the Final Report. CUES is sponsoring the Institute for a Sustainable Treasure Coast (ISTC), a university-based organization developed to provide STC with data and research and to monitor progress in implementing the CSTC’s recommendations. The report can be found at www.sustainabletc.org. Please contact Jim Murley at jmurley@fau.edu for more information.
 

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2005 Florida Guidebook to New Urbanism now available

The 2005 A Guidebook to New Urbanism in Florida commemorates and celebrates Florida’s 120 plus New Urbanist developments and plans – over twice as many as the 2002 Guidebook that was developed by CUES.

The new Guidebook features:

  • Locations and essential facts about projects and plans
  • Best practices from our state’s successful historic urbanism
  • Articles by leading practitioners and observers of the movement
  • Florida New Urbanism resource list organized for easy reference

Order your guidebook today or contact guidebook editor, Jean Scott, at 561-620-3815

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News and Notes

CUES hosted scientists from the US Department of the Interior on Monday, March 13th. The meeting was designed to seek input from university faculty on a model that will be developed to predict economic and ecological impacts of development near national parks. Faculty present represented CUES, the Center for Environmental Studies, and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

On Thursday, March 30th, CUES Director, Jim Murley, moderated the Socio-Economic Profile of Puerto Rico: Current & Future panel at the Land Use Planning for Puerto Rico’s Future Program developed by the Urban Land Institute. This program was developed to explore the challenges and successful strategies used across the world to reach consensus on land use and how they might be applied in Puerto Rico. Research Associate Fabio Naranjo also participated in this event.

 

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Activities & Events

On April 6-7, join national and local leaders as we discuss common issues and work towards regional solutions. This event brings together major leadership groups, public organizations, and private business leaders throughout South Florida for a proactive conference and networking opportunity. DETAILS

HOT TOPICS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: LAND USE AND ZONING ISSUES AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL
This one-day workshop, to be held on April 6th at FAU’s Commercial Boulevard campus in Ft. Lauderdale, will explore the nuts and bolts of the key land use and planning issues that are crucial in shaping your community. The program is designed to help you understand the issues, ask the right questions, and make appropriate decisions that can be effectively implemented. Our experienced speakers will present an informative and interesting program that will be invaluable to seasoned and new public officials alike.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER PROGRAMS, please contact the John Scott Dailey FL Institute of Government at FAU: 954/229-4104 or jdolson@fau.edu. Brochures and registration are available online.
 

Ocean Partners for Florida’s Future
April 19, 2006 – In recognition of Florida Oceans Day, the Florida Ocean Alliance (housed at CUES) is helping organize events with this year’s theme, “Ocean Partners for Florida’s Future.” A reception, sponsored by Mote Marine Laboratory, will be held at the Capitol in Tallahassee on April 18th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This will be followed on April 19th by an all-day Oceans Day exhibition, sponsored by the Florida Institute of Oceanography and held in the Capitol Courtyard & Rotunda from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Events will include a Special Salute to the Florida Oceans & Coastal Resources Council’s 2006 Research Plan.

 

NEW URBANISM SHORT COURSE: TRANSPORTATION AND THE NEW URBANISM
Sponsored by the City of Port St. Lucie, Florida Chapter of the Congress for New Urbanism, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council

This event, to take place on April 20, 2006 from 8:30 – 4:30 at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, features designers, transportation engineers and developers weighing in on transportation and the new urbanism.

More details available online or contact Stephanie at Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council 772-221-4060

Abacoa Anniversary Events
“Abacoa: Then & Now,” a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the mixed-use community’s groundbreaking, will be held Saturday, April 22, 2006, from 4:00 – 6:30 PM in the Abacoa Town Center Theater Green, with presentations by George deGuardiola, Nader Salour and other special guest speakers, music by the Fabulons, and food provided by local restaurants. Informational displays throughout Abacoa and a booklet to be distributed at the event will offer insights into the development’s history, its role as an exemplar of the principles or new urbanism, and its impact on the south Florida region. On the morning of the groundbreaking event, a special Great American Clean-up walk through the Abacoa Greenway will take place, with trail beautification activities and a small group field science study. Please contact Ed Maietta at (561) 799-8526 or emaietta@fau.edu for more information.
 

Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan Public Workshop
CUES is finalizing the third draft of the Manatee Protection Plan for Palm Beach County in response to state- and federal-agency review comments. Following release of this draft, a public workshop will be held on May 10th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 3323 Belvedere Road, Bldg. 509, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. DETAILS.
 

2006 Growth Management Summit, May 18-19, 2006
The Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Regional Councils Association announce the 2006 Growth Management Summit to be held on May 18-19, 2006, at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando. Registration brochure and program.
 

2006 ALI-ABA Land Use Institute
Thursday, August 17, 2006 – Saturday, August 19, 2006
Location: TBD – Chicago, IL

Senior Fellow Frank Schnidman, Esq., is already planning the next American Law Institute – American Bar Association Land Use Institute. This annual program is designed to provide an effective and efficient review of current issues in land use for attorneys, planners, public officials, developers, and academics. For more information on the Institute or to suggest a specific topic, please contact Frank at schnidma@fau.edu. 

 

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