The 2010 Better Development Symposium

Planning Ahead for the Next Development Cycle
May 25, 2010
Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton

VCC’s 2010 Better Development Symposium on May 25 brought together more than 70 people and a host of speakers to address “Planning Ahead for the Next Development Cycle.” Attendees ranged from representatives of 15 localities, private sector professionals, nonprofit organizations, and interested citizens. Discussion centered on how the economy, significant regulatory changes, and market trends will change development in the future.

View the presentations listed in the right hand column on this page. See the agenda below.

Many of these factors point in the direction of compact and walkable development. New VDOT standards, Urban Development Area requirements, and the upcoming stormwater regulations all call for paradigm shifts in the way projects are designed. Together they could lead to more cost efficient and environmentally sustainable development patterns.

The Conserve as You Grow and Green Infrastructure presentations showed how planning for conservation can complement and bring out the best in development. Developer Jim Vickers emphasized that developers will build what they think they can sell. He believes closer-in, smaller, multi-purpose projects will do well and described how localities can foster good development. Terry Short’s presentation showed how VDOT is taking the lead in integrating efficient land use and transportation, which will encourage more connected, efficient, and context sensitive road networks. Urban Development Area (UDA) requirements likewise cite traditional neighborhood design principles and higher densities.

In the input session, localities described how they are moving in this direction. The hurdles are considerable, however, starting with funding for infrastructure (particularly sewer) and local readiness in terms of codes, developer experience in this type of design, and acceptance of higher density.

More information is available by following links to Better Models for Development, our annual awards, the book, and past workshops.

VCC is grateful for funding assistance for this program from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. Thanks also to all our speakers and participants.

Agenda

Conserve as You Grow

This new chapter of the updated Better Models for Development book addresses the link between conservation and development at all scales: landscape, community, and site. Topics include smart growth, green infrastructure planning, environmental site design, and open space design.

Chapter Highlights - Sara Hollberg , AICP, Valley Conservation Council
Green Infrastructure Planning - Karen Firehock, Director, Green Infrastructure Center