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 “What do you want Albany to be like in 2030? ”
This is the founding question for the “Albany 2030: Your City. Your Future” project. Albany 2030 is a Comprehensive Plan, a guiding document which outlines all the expectations and visions that residents have about the conditions of their city in twenty years. That is one of the unique parts of the Comprehensive Plan – not only is it the first city-wide plan that Albany has ever implemented, but it also rests heavily on the ideas and opinions of residents.
Albany 2030 promotes a collective vision for the future, with maps, policies, and guidelines all designed and gears towards achieving and maintaining that vision. This includes neighborhood revitalization plans, redevlopment programs, economic development plans, and housing initiatives, all striving for improvements such as “green” buildings, walkable and safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, and more.
Because the Comprehensive Plan is so dependent on citizen input, residents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in the 15-18 month process of creating the plan. There has already been a large turnout during both rounds of multiple forums held to garner public opinion, but the time to make your voice heard has certainly not passed. Albany2030.org is still taking suggestions, and you can participate in online forums, write in the citizen journal, and contact officials. For the less computer-savvy, house parties are encouraged for neighbors and friends to gather in an easy social setting and discuss changes to Albany which each wishes to see.
The city is using both new media like Twitter and Facebook, as well as traditional advertising methods, such as flyers, to spread the word about the Albany 2030 plan.
Not a citizen of Albany? That’s no excuse to ignore Albany 2030. As one blogger noted, all residents of the Capital Region should be interested in Albany's future, since it has one of the largest impacts in the area and all and any changes will affect us.
To read a draft of the Albany 2030 vision statement, learn more about how you can participate, and stay informed about Albany 2030, visit Albany2030.org.
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