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| If Houston is going to be a great place to live tomorrow and in a couple of decades - when nearly twice as many people will live in the region - we need to figure out where we’re going to put everybody, and how we’re going to move around, and what the place could look like and feel like. It is widely understood that the city must compete on quality-of-life issues to attract and keep the talented people who will determine economic success in the twenty-first century. We believe the citizens of the City should begin immediately a meaningful and comprehensive planning process with broad community participation, as mandated in the City Code of Ordinances. We call on the wisdom and values of Houston’s citizens to make our city a more attractive place to live and visit. The process will provide an agreed-upon framework for turning our visions into places over the next 20-30 years. Furthermore, fiscal responsibility requires a comprehensive plan to make the most efficient use of public assets to create and maintain the complex infrastructure that enables quality private development. No prudent business or institution would consider operating without a plan. Houston’s last valid comprehensive plan was published in 1929. Most importantly, it appears that Houstonians believe the time has come to create the future we want by coordinating transportation, revitalization of neighborhoods, flood management, land development, stewardship of our cultural heritage and natural resources, and a great many other issues. A comprehensive plan should be presented to voters in November 2003. |