virginia regions a model strategic framework for partnering, collaboration and cooperation -...
TRANSCRIPT
Virginia Regions: A Model Strategic Framework for Partnering, Collaboration
and Cooperation
International Symposium on Partnering, Collaboration and Cooperation, September 20, 2000
Tom Christoffel, AICP
Traditional Geographic Frameworks
Federal State
Local CountyCity or Town
Cooperation within these boundaries is assumed. They are intentional communities.
Cooperation across boundaries can be problematic.
Boundaries
“We need boundaries.” - Edith Wiener
“To solve problems we must cross boundaries.” Jessica Lipnack.
Obviously we have some governmental cooperation, but many citizens wonder why there isn’t more?
Obstacles to Cooperation
Local governments were designed to be local and they are good at it.
All governments tend to look inward from their boundaries.
Neighbors are not always peers. Urban, suburban, rural - each a different sophistication.
Regional Frameworks for Cooperation
Regional approaches have been encouraged for local governments by states since the 1920’s.
In the 1960’s they were encouraged for rural revitalization and metropolitan coordination.
Simply grouping local governments into state regions did not immediately lead to cooperation.
Virginia’s Approach - 1968
Planning Districts with local government appointed Commissions.
State matching funds to encourage participation
Regions would have 100,000 population A convenient meeting place - 45 minuteLocal governments decide which district
they are part of.
Virginia Planning Districts
Planning District 7 - 1970
Counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah & Warren; 14 towns Winchester City - 106,372
Named Lord Fairfax - same as Community College
Little government administration or planning in place.
Little reason for localities to meet.
Year 2000 - Virginia’s Northern Shenandoah Valley
Planning District the same jurisdictions, but population projected to be 187,000
A range of levels of government administration and planning in region.
Many reasons and venues for localities to cooperate within the Planning District Region.
A regional community of communities.
Organizations Serving the Region
� CFW Regional Jail� Housing Action - Northern Shenandoah Valley� Lord Fairfax Soil & Water Conservation District� Lord Fairfax Community College� Lord Fairfax Disability Services Board� Lord Fairfax Emergency Service Council� Lord Fairfax Food Bank� Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center
Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Partnership� Northwestern Community Services Board � Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center� Lord Fairfax Health District
Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging
Why does this region work?
The Virginia Design
Planning Districts were intended to be administrative regions for the State.
Governor Linwood Holton issued Executive Order 15 in 1972 directing State agencies to use PDs or multiples for their own regions.
State data has been compiled by localities & Planning Districts for the last 30 years creating a valuable database.
The Virginia Strategic Advantage
There is no set of perfect regional boundaries, but Virginia’s design leads to regional community and, therefore cooperation at a higher level than other states.
This geographic framework is of benefit to any group - private for profit, non-profit, recreational - for their own partnering and it comes with free data.
“Community Motive"→ Regional/Greater Communities"Think local planet, act regionally."
Contact
Tom Christoffel, AICP, FeRSA, Editor
Regional/Greater Community Motivation - News & Thought
Regional Intelligence – Regional Communities, LLC
Box 1444 - Front Royal, Virginia (VA), USA 22630
E-mail: [email protected]
Land: 1- 540-635-8582
Cell: 1 -540-664-7037
Web: http://ri-rc.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tomchristoffel As of 8/22/2013