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Urban design matters. Whether it is promoting changes in our
zoning codes, advocating a more livable downtown, expressing support for
transportation bonds, exploring the successes of mixed use development, or
embracing neighborhood values, The Congress for the New Urbanism Central Texas
Chapter (CNU-CTX) is dedicated to positively influencing the policies and
practices that are shaping the development pattern of Central Texas. Our
region’s development pattern has a direct impact on our economy, our
environment, and our social and personal health. These are matters that affect
all of us as citizens of Central Texas, as policy makers, as educators, and as
members of the development community. Our work is guided by the Charter for the
New Urbanism
and our mission is to affect change through education and advocacy based on the
Charter.
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Since forming to host the national Congress for The New
Urbanism in Austin in 2008, CNU-CTX has become a valued, credible voice for
quality urbanism in our region. We engage people in positive dialogue about how
to both honor and evolve our built environment. Policy makers and others look
to us for expertise and a thoughtful, principle-based perspective on how to
effectively address urban growth issues. Below are some highlights of what we
have accomplished since 2008:
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Advocacy
While CNU-CTX does not take positions on development
projects, we do share specific concepts and principles embodied in the Charter
for the New Urbanism that elected officials and policy makers may wish to
consider the best and most appropriate practices for building better urbanism. Below
are a list of the initiatives of which CNU-CTX has provided input to local
leaders:
- East Riverside Corridor Master Plan
- Downtown Austin Plan
- 2010 Austin Mobility Bond Package
- Austin ISD Facilities Master Plan
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- “What's FORM Got to Do With It? Promises and Pitfalls of
Form-Based Code” with Denver's Planning Director Peter Park. Multiple associated
events including VIP dinner, Transportation Bond strategy meeting, urban design
class at UT Austin and luncheon sponsored by CNU-CT
- A walking tour and panel discussion highlighting projects
built under the University Neighborhood Overlay.
- “The Great
Public Spaces Summit”, in partnership with the APA
- “Healthy Cities” seminar, in partnership with the AIA and
USGBC
- Walking, bicycle, and kayak tours of local development sites
and projects.
- “Re-thinking Growth: The economic benefits of conservation-based
development and corridor redevelopment” seminar featuring Randall Arendt and co-sponsored
with the APA, Hill Country Alliance, and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
- The Café Urban salon series:
- Form Based Code: Lessons Learned from Around Central Texas
- What is Compatibility?
- Keeping Up the Urban Momentum: The New Mixed- Use Market
- What I Learned at CNU 18
- Austin Strategic Mobility Plan – presentation by Rob Spillar,
Director, Austin Transportation Department
- How Urban Design Affects Property Values with Andrew Burleson,
Davico Realty Group, President, CNU-Houston
- LEED-ND
- The Waterfront Overlay
- The Warehouse District: Save it or lose it?
- Monthly General Membership Meetings – focused on topics such
as the Downtown Austin Plan, understanding Austin’s Boards & Commissions, ICLEI-Local
Governments for Sustainability USA
- Candidate Forums hosted in partnership with AIA and APA
- Austin Community Garden Tour and Panel Discussion
& Potluck hosted in partnership with the Sustainable Food Center and
Coalition of Austin Community Gardens
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Involvement
- Event partner: "Enhancing the Congress Avenue Experience"
Charrette and Luncheon Symposium.
- Working Group Members invited by the city of Austin to help
develop a form-based code for the East Riverside Corridor Master Plan corridor.
- Active participants in the Imagine Austin Comprehensive
Planning Process
- Active participants in the Airport Boulevard Redevelopment
Process
- Led discussion on River North form-based zoning in San
Antonio and ongoing redevelopment initiatives in the River North district
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Based on the principles enumerated in the Charter of the New
Urbanism, we will continue to actively support:
- New zoning and building codes (and public policy), to
advance regional goals
- Redevelopments and new communities that follow traditional
town-planning principles – compact, well-designed, walkable and bikable,
transit-connected, and people-oriented
- Projects that sensitively add mixed-use, mid-rise density to
the central city and urban areas
- A reversal of course away from unsustainable sprawl, to
protect regional livability and sustainability
- Education and awareness for leaders, local elected
officials, and the general public
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With so many issues critical to good urbanism being decided
now in Austin and around Central Texas, we want to take CNU-CTX to the next
level. We need your help. In order to increase our reach and expand local
programming, civic engagement, education and member services, we are actively
seeking Sustaining Partners to support our nonprofit organization. Click here to
learn how to become a Sustaining Partner.
Please also consider
membership in the national Congress for the New Urbanism, which makes you a
full member of our local chapter.
Join here at the CNU national website. CNU
members receive a substantial discount on the annual Congress. They keep
up-to-date through a quarterly newsletter and enjoy complete access to
resources on CNU’s web site. Those
include forums to connect with other CNU members internationally, listings of job
opportunities and requests for proposals, presentations from past Congresses,
and a database of New Urbanist projects. Membership dues help keep CNU a
strong national voice.
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