Why things (supposedly) don’t happen in Hampton Roads Few coordinating bodies. Few coordinating bodies. Dillon Rule. Dillon Rule. 16 Independent cities and counties. 16 Independent cities and counties. Separated by the same bodies of water that unite us. Separated by the same bodies of water that unite us. Separate media markets. Separate media markets. Conflicting social, political and economic histories, agendas, cultures & expectations. Conflicting social, political and economic histories, agendas, cultures & expectations.

Why we look to Envision Utah A process for working together that works: A successful visioning initiative. A successful visioning initiative. A region taking responsibility for its future. A region taking responsibility for its future. A vision by desire rather than edict. A vision by desire rather than edict.

And you thought Hampton Roads was confusing? The Greater Salt Lake/Wasatch Area: 10 counties 90 cities and towns 157 special service districts. 90 Mayors 500+ City Council Members 500+ Planning Commissioners 30 County Commissioners All hemmed in between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake.

The challenge facing Utah Develop a broad and publically supported quality growth strategy to deal with: A million new residents between 1996 and A million new residents between 1996 and Infrastructure needs outstripping resources. Infrastructure needs outstripping resources. Compromised air quality. Compromised air quality. Increasing crowding and congestion. Increasing crowding and congestion. Business and personal costs rising. Business and personal costs rising. Population doubling again by Population doubling again by 2050.

Key realizations Key realizations No vision would succeed without broad public support. No vision would succeed without broad public support. Could not succeed without collaboration between nonprofits, government, citizens, institutions and other stakeholders. Could not succeed without collaboration between nonprofits, government, citizens, institutions and other stakeholders. Could not preserve what is special without finding out what residents value. Could not preserve what is special without finding out what residents value.

Why start visioning with values? Values are stable and enduring, the undercurrent to everything else. Values are stable and enduring, the undercurrent to everything else. Recognition of common values creates affinity and consensus among diverse groups. Recognition of common values creates affinity and consensus among diverse groups. To be sustainable, a region must satisfy the values, hopes and dreams of present and future residents. To be sustainable, a region must satisfy the values, hopes and dreams of present and future residents.

To whom did they listen? Citizens Citizens Business & civic leaders Business & civic leaders Local and state Government Local and state Government Environmental and conservation groups Environmental and conservation groups Education Education Developers Developers Utility companies Utility companies Faith community leaders Faith community leaders Media Media

What did they learn? Values for creating great communities: Personal growth and well-being Personal growth and well-being Education. Education. Community Community Nature Nature Family Family Security Security Sometimes the public is ahead of government in its thinking.

Envision Utah’s success has spawned efforts all over the country.