CONFERENCE 2006: INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR A NEW WEST
New Practices for Growing Communities of the Intermountain West
OVERVIEW
WHAT: A forum to learn best practices applicable to mid-sized communities of the Intermountain West
WHERE: The Aspen Institute, Aspen, Colorado
WHEN: May 12–14, 2006
WHO: Elected officials, entrepreneurs, ranchers and farmers, planners, concerned citizens, members of the philanthropic community from the Intermountain West
The Sopris Foundation's May 2006 conference will target the challenges of Western leadership by examining entrepreneurial, agricultural, and philanthropic opportunities. Since the West's livability and historical character have always been defined by self-sufficiency, thrift and frugality, we must revisit those frontier values to determine our future. The design of rural and urban interface is fundamental to maintaining this essence, and it should begin with an exploration of the following conclusions:
- Wise land-use hinges on planning carefully forged by community values. If rural landscapes are to survive, then development should favor clustered density. This would allow ranches to exist despite growth trends, and open space continuity could provide for wildlife habitat.
- Clustered growth encourages multiple transportation options, freeing citizens from car-centric mobility and dependence on rising prices at the pump.
- Given projections for a squeeze on energy resources, alternative generation must become a prime factor in community development if our cities are to maintain their independence and autonomy. New generation performs optimally in densely networked communities.
The West, planned and crafted according to this vision, makes good sense philosophically, environmentally and economically.
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