UTAH, 1997-PRESENT
Project Description
Envision Utah is a “Public/Private Partnership formed to guide the development of a broadly and publicly supported Quality Growth Strategy - a vision to protect Utah's environment, economic strength, and quality of life.” As a coordinating group, Envision Utah has helped bring together thousands of Utah residents, local organizations, research and technology experts, and Utah State Government. The ongoing Envision Utah planning process includes research concerning core values of Utah residents, workshops with key stakeholders to address where and how to grow, and extensive public awareness and education efforts asking Utah residents to express their preferences for their communities’ future. Key issues include environmental protection and conservation, transportation and housing options, governmental efficiency, and long-term visioning.
The organization estimated that the first phase (planning) involved 135 public meetings, more than 4500 participants, distribution of 930,000 questionnaires with 23,500 responses, and 70,000 hours of technical work.
Finance and Support
Envision Utah is sponsored by the Coalition for Utah’s Future, a non-profit organization.
Stakeholders
Citizens of Utah.
Methods
Envision Utah’s overall process follows a popular model for comprehensive planning, starting with an “Inventory” (including visioning) stage, moving to “Scenario Development,” and finishing with development of a “Quality Growth Strategy” and “Implementation;” the process included familiar elements and tools such as workshops and committees, charrettes, and surveys. The more unique aspects of the project are the scale and scope, the well-established public-private partnership, and some specific elements for visioning and implementation.
The Envision Utah process included the 2040: Quality of Life Survey, part of a four-county land use and transportation collaboration between Wasatch Front Regional Council, Mountainland Association of Governments, and Envision Utah.
Outcomes
Now in the implementation phase, Envision Utah is working on a number of projects across the state. The project created an “Implementation Toolbox,” which includes a wide variety of codes, design standards, and other tools for smart growth relating to economic development, transportation, housing, character, conservation, and other common topics. Envision Utah continues to provide workshops, instructions, and facilitation to communities, as well as more involved support on specific projects. The project received a national planning award from the APA in 2002.
Evaluation
A diverse steering committee provides ongoing support.
Innovative Ideas
Envision Utah's goal throughout the process has been to involve key decision-makers and the community to gain support at the ground level. Envision Utah commissioned a nationally recognized polling firm, Wirthlin Worldwide, to conduct and in-depth study and a broad survey of area residents. The study proved to be very beneficial in determining the best course of action for the Envision Utah. Findings validated Envision Utah's initial principles on community involvement.
ENVISION UTAH AT A GLANCE
COMMUNITY TYPE
Statewide
AREA
84,876 square miles
POPULATION
2,233,169
LOCATION
Utah
PROCESS
Visioning
Comprehensive Planning
PROJECT LEADERS
Envision Utah
PROJECT THEMES
Public Participation
Growth
Transportation
Conservation