Tacomans must work together to protect their quality of life now and create a better future for those who come after them as the region’s population continues to grow.  Importantly, Tacomans should advocate for careful planning to shape this growth in a manner that brings neighborhood amenities, increases housing and transportation choices and creates an affordable and attractive city for families. 

These were the themes of a two and a half hour interactive workshop, Taking Action in Tacoma, How to Shape the Future of Your Community, hosted by the Cascade Agenda Cities Program and the University of Washington – Tacoma (UWT) Urban Studies Program Jan. 29 at Philip Hall on the UWT campus in Tacoma.  Over 75 people attended the workshop, recognizing that knowledgeable and proactive citizens can have a powerful influence on how their communities grow.  The workshop helped them become well-informed, well-organized and well-prepared citizens who are ready to participate in local decision making and guide their local neighborhoods toward a complete, compact and connected future. 

Speakers from the Cascade Agenda Cities Program explained the goals of The Cascade Agenda; how careful planning for our region’s cities and improving the livability of our neighborhoods can help save our natural and working lands from poorly planned development; how to effectively participate in the planning process and influence decisions; and how to effectively communicate about issues of growth and development.

Two students from the UWT Urban Studies Program brought these issues home with a light-hearted critique of architecture in Tacoma and visual illustrations of the many opportunities for Tacomans to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.  Finally, participants broke into small groups and applied their newfound knowledge to develop plans for addressing issues of importance in their community.

As the first Cascade Agenda Leadership City, Tacoma has acknowledged that quality of life, a strong economy and a healthy environment are mutually beneficial and interdependent – one cannot have one without the other.  The City of Tacoma and the Cascade Land Conservancy formed a partnership in 2007 to focus on policies, education and outreach that will make Tacoma even more livable in the future.  The Cascade Agenda Cities Program will continue to work with the workshop participants and other interested individuals through its Community Stewards Program.  The program works to develop an active network of citizens who can successfully guide their local neighborhoods toward a complete, compact and connected future.  

Download the Presentations (due to the large size of these files, they may take a minute to download):

• Cascade Land Conservancy and The Cascade Agenda
• Participating in the Planning Process
  
• Effective Communication about Growth and Development
• Opportunities in Tacoma
  
• Closing