Shifting Sands Communities and the Human Development Overlay District
June 4th, 2008 Categories: Local Events, Mill Pond Village
I admit it. I was lax in reading about the Ford Foundation’s visit to our fair city last year. I remember vaguely reading about it but for some reason it didn’t really sink in. I am ashamed. I think I was too busy changing diapers writing offers. My years of marketing the new urbanist community Mill Pond Village sparked an interest in urban planning. Tonight’s writeup in the Daily A finally got my attention. We’ve actually been selected to be part of a pilot program that is meant to help neighborhoods undergoing rapid change. The Human Development Overlay District (HDOD) is defined as a new initiative intended to integrate human capital, social, and community planning through the innovative use of information technology in rapidly changing neighborhoods and communities. Our input will be necessary and meaningful. This is very timely with all that the city has on it’s plate at the moment. I’m still researching this happening, I want to understand better what this really means for Astoria. There’s nothing on Ford’s website but here’s their mission statement. I like it. I did find a press release on the Environmental Simulation Center site. We are in good company too. Los Angeles, Boston, and St. Paul are the other three cities that made the cut. I can’t wait to see what develops!
Jennie
