Avoiding the "Bedroom Community" Mentality

[Linda Goin]

If you rent or purchase a home in one county and work in another county, how can you reconcile the differences between making a living with the possibilities of living a full life?

This is the question that the city of La Grange, KY has asked the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) to answer in a partnership between the town's Main Street program, the city and the community to look at a urban re-design and economic development plan. During a Charrette held in La Grange on Saturday, February 12th, almost 100 people in a town of about 8,000 residents held court with DAAP students as those residents conveyed their visions for their town to the UC students. One of the desires that stood out was how residents and the city could make La Grange a healthier, more environmental and safer environment for everyone.

While the percentage of participants to residents was small for this Charrette, the outcome via media resonated throughout Oldham County, where La Grange serves as the largest town and the county seat. Reaction among those residents who did not attend the Charrette has been positive and forward-looking to the results that will be presented within the next six weeks.

Knowing most of the residents who attended this Charrette, the working group also presumes at this time that the majority of people involved in the building of "community" through economic development and urban planning are those residents who live above I-71, and consist of those individuals who are the most vested in their communities in that area. South of I-71, the residents seem to be focused more on the activities and offerings from Jefferson County and Louisville.

Over the next few weeks, as executive director for the Main Street program (Discover Downtown La Grange), I'd like to explore various facets pertaining to the county-wide feel for health, wellness and fitness in various programs, such as the "Shop Local" campaign that focuses on local entrepreneurs; a more environmental approach to our parks and byways; a marketing approach that could pull more businesses into the town that focus on health and wellness, and; a sustainable approach to building, rebuilding and re-using current infrastructure to achieve goals to make this town not only a destination, but a home to the residents who live here.

I welcome any comments, suggestions and ideas that any of you may have in this format. Re-inventing the wheel is stupid. Carving a signature into that wheel just might be sustainable.

[Fiona Hyde]

I wish you success with your project. 

This link will take you to the MATCH description . The second page has a very good diagram about what contributes to health.  Medical care only contributes 20%.  Lifestyle is the big contributor.  The idea is to design for health and also make it easy for people to find healthy food...that tastes great!

http://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu/pha/match/matchRankings.pdf

 

[Fiona Hyde]

Hi Linda:

I just saw your post and have suggestion. A good-one stop shop for you is the Congress on the New Urbanism.  They have a wealth of contacts/information you can tap into.  You are doing some cutting edge work and I wish you well.  My only suggestion is to ensure that you also engage reasonable nay-sayers. 

Another source is the MATCH program at the University of Wisconsin.  MATCH stands for Mobilizing Action Toward Community  Health.  A good resource is their community engagement director.  She would love to hear about your work.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds their program so you may get some national visibility because you are doing exactly what we need to see small to medium sized communities doing. 

Contact Information:

Julie Willems Van Dijk
University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
610 Walnut Street, 585 WARF
Madison, WI 53726-2336 USA

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

 

 

Heather Smith
Planning Director
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone] x15

Heather is an urban planner responsible for supporting the CNU member Initiatives and planning the annual Congress program. She joined CNU in January 2005. Before joining CNU, she coordinated the Metropolis Plan activities for Chicago Metropolis 2020, a regional planning organization. Prior to working in Chicago she received an American Planning fellowship to advance sustainable development and planning issues in the United States Senate. Heather holds a masters degree in urban planning and previously worked for the New York City Department of City Planning. Heather enjoys biking to work, sailing, swimming, and kayaking in her free time.