What's Happening?!
This new service of the Foundation will feature a variety of growth related happenings from around the state. Many will be examples of positive action and results. All will serve as a resource for communities and others to learn from...
A variety of postings are being added. A beginning few appear now. Reader feedback welcome on categories to add and news to feature. Media and other sources are noted for additional details. Environment ...
Communities ...
The 12th annual statewide conference on neighborhoods and communities is underway in Tallahassee, June 26-28. More to come on this important event and related future opportunities.
Land Use ...
Decisions made everyday about land use affect quality of life for Floridians for the short and long term. This section features info on uses and possibilities.
“Events Build Florida’s Capacity to Promote Community Vitality through Brownfields Redevelopment” (January 27, 2008 – ELI or PRnewswire)
Several state politicians, development experts, and community leaders met last week in Orlando for a one-day workshop about Brownfield redevelopment. A “brownfield” is a site, often in or near a city center, that has some impediments to redevelopment (pollution would be typical) but may also just be an eyesore.
The short conference was hosted by the Environmental Law Institute, a non-profit research center that provides information about environmental issues around Florida. Topics of discussion included redeveloping brownfields as an economic stimulus as well as a potential partial solution to the “affordable housing crisis.”
For more information about brownfields check out the Florida Brownfields Association, a website dedicated to helping redevelop brownfields in our state. This site includes links to cities that have voluntarily supplied listings of brownfields that they are aware of.
The Governor's 2008 Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change took place in Miami on June 25-26. The event was organized to explore opportunities for expanding Florida’s renewable and alternative energy marketplace and greening Florida's business community. Please join us by taking advantage of the live Web casts of portions of the Summit. It featured scientists and national and international leaders with expertise on global climate change. Recordings of keynote speakers and other presentations will continue to be available at: www.MyFloridaClimate.com
Energy ...
Much is happening on the energy front as many are realizing the importance of green practices and investments. Assorted examples related to growth follow:
“Florida’s natural growers demonstrate solar energy at visitor center” -- (Jan 17,2008 – Reuter’s)
Just last month the second largest producer of not-from-concentrate orange juice installed solar panels that will hopefully produce 30% of the power needed to operate their visitor’s center. According to internal statistics, Florida’s Natural has shown a dramatic decrease in energy and water consumption over the past two decades, due to their experimentation with clean energy sources such as solar power.
The design of homes, communities and infrastructure have significant bearing on the use of time and resources. Happenings about design are featured here.
