1. VISIONING Knowing the future you want, getting the future you imagine Pinellas Planning Council September 14, 2006

2. Introduction and purpose Statutory provisions Concepts of the visioning process Techniques and methods Exercises Questions and discussion Agenda for Visioning

3. Purpose of Visioning Identify what we value today and describe what we want to be and look like in the future. Develop consensus on what to change or preserve. Evoke an image of the future as a foundation for planning today.

4. Visioning provides an opportunity to step back and look at the “big picture” – consider the ideal future for your community. It provides a means of engaging citizens early – before the “real planning” gets underway. Purpose of Visioning

5. Statutory Incentives for Visioning Section 163.3184(17) of the Florida Statutes provides incentives Exemption from DCA oversight of map amendments if the community… Adopts a Community Vision and Designates Urban Service Boundaries (USB) See DCA website: www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/visioning/index.cfm

6. Pinellas County – some visioning projects in place both countywide and individual municipalities Urban service agreements may meet the urban service boundary requirement Discussion is underway regarding consistency of past efforts with statutes Statutory Incentives for Visioning

7. Visioning is both Process and Product It is values based. It fosters ownership in both the vision and the plans that follow. It motivates and inspires citizens. It builds consensus.

8. Concepts: Process moves people from personal visions to a shared vision.

9. Product is a statement that includes both what we value today and what we will look like in the future.

10. The future may be described in many terms: Physical (growth and development) Social (programs and people) Financial (economy, taxes, budget) Cultural (heritage, education, leisure)

11. Statement may be used to assess the compatibility of new initiatives and programs with the citizens’ ideas. Vision Statement

12. Steps: Organize – “plan to plan” Inventory – community assessment Visioning workshops (preliminary goals) Celebration Continuation of the planning process

13. Outreach Media plan The program and process People and materials Logistics Organizing for Visioning

14. Techniques and Methods: Limited resources: Questionnaires Workshop: Brainstorming Scenario building SPOT or TOPS analysis Focus groups

15. Moderate to high resources: Multiple workshops to focus on specific topics Design charettes Cognitive mapping Image preference surveys Photographic journals Techniques and Methods:

16. Questionnaires: Mail Newspaper Workshop Questions to elicit information on what people treasure, what obstacles are present, what changes should occur, etc.

17. Brainstorming: Generate ideas Discuss and reach consensus on the issues and ideas Prioritize the issues Can address multiple topics: treasures, strengths, obstacles, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, plans, and strategies

18. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

19. TOPS Analysis Treasures Obstacles Plans Strategies

20. Scenarios: Imagine different futures: Extending current trends Conditions/economy/quality of life get worse Specific new future(s) Choose a scenario – determine how to achieve it

21. Focus groups: Conduct any of these activities with individual groups that focus on a topic, area, or issue (Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood, mobility, for example)

22. Design charettes: Solve design problems, such as downtown or a specific neighborhood Consider architecture, urban design, styles of development Use design professionals to support the program

23. Cognitive mapping: “Mind map” Identifying physical constraints Identify community problem areas Help understand physical relationships

24. Image preference surveys: Compare different styles of development Use paired photographic images Questionnaires identify preferences

25. Photographic journal: Individuals bring photos of treasured places and places that need change Collect photos from other communities that represent a desired future

26. Compile final results Use a format to share and distribute (flyers, brochures, newspaper insert) Hold a celebration Almost last step in visioning:

27. Feedback – “did we get it right?” Benchmarks – measure success of future plans and programs Honor the participants Build leadership for continued efforts Celebration

28. Start the process to create a vision for your community 2 brief exercises Discuss the results of the exercises Visioning Exercises

29. Exercise #1 Three basic visioning questions: “What do you like?” “What would you like to see changed?” and “What do see 10 years in the future?”

30. Exercise #2 Begin to develop your Visioning Program and Outreach Plan Consider your municipality’s level of available resources Identify visioning techniques List the action steps to begin visioning Identify ways to “get the word out” about the visioning process

31. Visioning DISCUSSION, NEXT STEPS & QUESTIONS