|
|
|
| |
Envision Central Texas is pleased to offer the Quality Growth Toolbox to cities, counties, planning commissions, private sector representatives, public entities and communities throughout our region to help plan for the future in ways that will preserve and enhance our natural resources, economic vitality and overall quality of living.
The Quality Gorwth Toolbox was created in partnership with the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin and is a collection of moe than 100 resources, models, best practices and other tools designed to assist communities as they plan for growth. CLICK HERE to access the Quality Growth Toolbox.
In addition to the Quality Growth Toolbox, we have compiled below an array of resources which provide valuable information and innovative approaches to addressing growth challenges. Simply click on the + symbol next to the topic area to view the resources listed under each. If there are resources you think should be included, please email scampbell@envisioncentraltexas.org with details.
 Expand/collapse all
| Form Based Codes |
Form-based codes foster predictable built results and a high-quality public realm by using physical form (rather than separation of uses) as the organizing principle for the code. Form-based codes address the relationship between building facades and the public realm, the form and mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types of streets and blocks. The regulations and standards in form-based codes are keyed to a regulating plan that designates the appropriate form and scale of development rather than only distinctions in land-use types. Not to be confused with design guidelines or general statements of policy, form-based codes are regulatory, not advisory. |
| Smart Growth: The Business Opportunity for Developers and Production Builders |
This series of eight white papers present a "business case for smart growth" to assist those considering whether to pursue smart growth projects. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with land developers, builders, land acquisition officers, investors, designers, and other real estate professionals, this series explores the business decisions needed to bring smart growth projects to market. |
| ECT White Paper: Mixed Use Matters |
ECT's Community Design Committee has created the "Mixed Use Matters" paper to initiate a regional conversation about how we can better design mixed-use, walkable, bikable communities. The document highlights benefits, opportunities, challenges, and Texas examples, as well as principles and standards that communities can use to inform their thinking. Click below to download the PDF file (approx. 4MB). |
| Conservation Development |
Conversation development is a method of developing land for housing in a way that preserves open space for future generations. Typically, it involves building homes in groups with smaller lot sizes, protecting natural features and open space for use by all the residents. |
| Sustainable Sites Initiative |
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary effort by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the United States Botanic Garden to create voluntary national guidelines and performance benchmarks for sustainable land design, constructionand maintenance practices. |
| Central Texas Greenprint for Growth |
The Greenprint for Growth is a proactive tool for conservation planning that involves sophisticated computer modeling which integrates geographic data with local conservation goals to help communities make strategic, objective decisions about land conservation priorities. The process is currently underway in Bastrop, Caldwell, and Hays Counties. The Travis County Greenprint for Growth was completed during the fall of 2006. |
| Open Space Committee Vision |
In 2006, the ECT Open Space Committee came together to articulate the case for proactively preserving and protecting our environment, natural resources, recreational areas and other important "green infrastructure” that helps define our quality of life. This document, along with the accompanying open space vision map, identifies key priorities for conservation. The document, as well as the appendix, examine funding strategies and other tools and approaches for achieving land conservation goals. |
|
|
|
Envision Central Texas  6800 Burleson Road, Building 310, Suite 165 Austin, TX 78744 |
|
