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, social equity, and overall quality of living.

The Quality Growth Toolbox was created in partnership with the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin and is a collection of more than 100 resources, models, best practices and other tools designed to assist communities as they plan for growth. The toolbox is currently in a "beta" or test mode and we welcome your suggestions for improvements. 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 dmiller@envisioncentraltexas.org with details.

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 Creating Liveable, Walkable Communities

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).   Mixed Use Matters

 Environmental Stewardship

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.   City of Georgetown Conservation Subdivision Ordinance   Publications and resources from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center   Travis County Conservation Development Ordinance

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.   The Sustainable Sites Initiative

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.   Bastrop County Greenprint Brochure   Caldwell County Greenprint Brochure   Central Texas Greenprint for Growth Final Report   Hays County Greenprint Brochure   Travis County Greenprint for Growth

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.   ECT Open Space Committee Vision   Open Space Vision Document Appendix   Open Space Vision Map