The Underline:  Innovative approaches to linear park planning and landscape architecture

Since its founding, Friends of The Underline has been committed to transforming underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail—from the Miami River to Dadeland South Station—into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and public art destination. The third phase, now under way, will encompass some of The Underline’s most innovative and ambitious design elements, including bioretention ponds and bioswales designed to collect and filter rainwater runoff in a garden setting and the Miyawaki method for urban afforestation.  Friends of The Underline Chief Operating Officer Patrice Gillespie Smith discusses the evolution of the public-private partnership to convert unused urban land into a major community asset, and Isabel Castilla, ASLA, and Alejandro Vazquez, ASLA, of James Corner Field Operations focus on innovative planting strategies, including the incorporation of micro-forests and bioswales in the landscape architecture.  The session concludes with questions and answers.

The intersection between community design and public health

What role does community design play in public health?  University of Miami School of Architecture Professor Joanna L. Lombard discusses the elements of healthy communities and how they can enhance physical and mental wellness through social interaction, physical activity, and connection to nature.  She addresses how healthier design can help ameliorate the impacts of climate change, and the impacts on disadvantaged communities. She and Victor Dover, FAICP, principal / cofounder of Dover, Kohl & Partners and coauthor of the landmark book Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns, then have a conversation on strategies to integrate healthier design into communities, followed by a question-and-answer period.

2023 Florida Legislative Wrap Up

The 2023 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up on May 5, 2023, with significant public policy impacts for planning, conservation, transportation, community design and other issues of concern to many Floridians. 1000 Friends President Paul Owens, Policy & Planning Director Jane West, and Outreach Director Haley Busch discussed key bills and budget recommendations related to planning and growth management, conservation, transportation and water that passed and failed during the 2023 Session, including how legislation could impact Florida governance and planning practices.

2023 Florida Legislative Update

Florida’s Rising Seas:  Sea Level 2040 and Sea Level 2070

2023 Florida Legislative Preview

The 2023 Florida Legislative Session, slated to start on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, will have significant public policy impacts for planning, conservation, transportation, community design and other issues of concern to many Floridians. 1000 Friends President Paul Owens, Policy & Planning Director Jane West, and Outreach Director Haley Busch discuss key bills and budget recommendations related to planning and growth management, conservation, transportation and water that are likely to be up for consideration during the 2023 Session, including how legislation could impact Florida governance and planning practices.

Forces of Nature:  Land Conservation in Florida with Clay Henderson

In his newly released book, Forces of Nature: A History of Florida Land Conservation, noted environmental lawyer and educator Clay Henderson discusses the evolution of conservation in Florida.  Henderson celebrates the individuals and organizations who made the Sunshine State a leader in state-funded conservation and land preservation. For this webinar, he will focus specifically on the intersection between land conservation and growth management in Florida. He will also cover challenges facing land conservation in Florida today, with recommendations on moving forward. Forces of Nature will motivate Floridians to join in defending our state’s natural wonders.

Lessons from Lake Wales with Victor Dover, FAICP

Incorporated in 1917, Lake Wales is a small Main Street community with a rich legacy.  In the 1930s, the City of Lake Wales retained the noted Olmsted Brothers firm to develop a “garden in a city” landscape plan, which was soon implemented.  But more recently, recognizing the need to support downtown and neighborhood revitalization, increased affordable housing, stronger community linkages and more, the City of Lake Wales retained Victor Dover, FAICP, principal / cofounder of Dover, Kohl & Partners and coauthor of the landmark book Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns, to develop a Downtown Revitalization Planand a Northwest Neighborhood Plan.  Victor and his team are now working on implementation strategies for these plans.  Victor and Mark Bennett shared planning approaches to respect a community’s rich character while addressing 21^st century needs. 

The Economics of Development in Florida with Joe Minicozzi, Part 3

Back by popular demand, Urban3 founder and principal Joe Minicozzi provides Florida-specific information on the types of analysis to undertake to determine the true economic impacts of new development and redevelopment in communities. Drawing on new data from Collier County, West Palm Beach and other communities in Florida and beyond, he explores the types of short and long-term public costs associated with development and anticipated revenue through property taxes and other measures. A pioneer of an approach to planning and city design called Geoaccounting, Mr. Minicozzi demonstrate how cities can use local data and simple math to understand the impact of development on their community economic health. His case studies illuminate how cities and regions can better forecast fiscally sustainable development patterns, in the process protecting sensitive natural lands and waters.