The North Carolina Urban Growth and Infrastructure Issues Commission met on Thursday, January 21 and opened with remarks from Dee Freeman, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Secretary Freeman praised the group for its study of sustainable walkable communities and transit, and noted they could be a tool in improving North Carolina’s air quality. The commission then heard from Shelley Poticha, Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Shelley had six core principles for sustainable growth with communities, and praised Charlotte for its transit development:
• Provide more transportation choices
• Promote equitable and affordable housing
• Enhance economic competitiveness
• Support existing communities
• Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investments
• Value communities and neighborhoods that are sustainable and walkable, whether they’re urban, rural or suburban
Committee member Danny Pleasant, director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation mentioned that sensible planning should be a regional effort. The commission then heard from Jim Westmoreland, the Deputy Secretary for Transit with the NCDOT. Deputy Secretary Westmoreland gave an overview of a federal Sustainable Communities Summit attended by NCDOT staff, along with detailing the NC Green Urban Revitalization Partnership. This partnership would apply livability principles to help revitalize distressed urban neighborhoods. Visit this link to view Deputy Secretary Westmoreland’s presentation: Click here
- Copyright 2010
