VISIONINGVISIONING

Knowing the future you want, Knowing the future you want,

getting the future you imaginegetting the future you imagine

Pinellas Planning CouncilPinellas Planning Council

September 14, 2006September 14, 2006

Introduction and purpose Statutory provisions Concepts of the visioning process Techniques and methods Exercises Questions and discussion

Agenda for Visioning

Purpose of Visioning

Identify what we value today and describe what we want to be and look like in the future.

Develop consensus on what to change or preserve.

Evoke an image of the future as a foundation for planning today.

Visioning provides an opportunity to step back and look at the “big picture” – consider the ideal future for your community.

It provides a means of engaging citizens early – before the “real planning” gets underway.

Purpose of Visioning

Statutory Incentives for Visioning

Section 163.3184(17) of the Florida Statutes provides incentives

Exemption from DCA oversight of map amendments if the community…

Adopts a Community Vision and Designates Urban Service Boundaries

(USB) See DCA website:

www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/visioning/index.cfm

Pinellas County – some visioning projects in place both countywide and individual municipalities

Urban service agreements may meet the urban service boundary requirement

Discussion is underway regarding consistency of past efforts with statutes

Statutory Incentives for Visioning

Visioning is both Process and Product

It is values based. It fosters ownership in both the

vision and the plans that follow.

It motivates and inspires citizens.

It builds consensus.

Concepts:

Process moves people

from personal visions

to a shared vision.

Product is a statement

that includes both what we value today and what we will look

like in the future.

The future may be described in many terms:

Physical (growth and development)

Social (programs and people) Financial (economy, taxes,

budget) Cultural (heritage, education,

leisure)

Statement may be used toassess the compatibility

of new initiatives and programs

with the citizens’ ideas.

Vision Statement

Steps:

Organize – “plan to plan” Inventory – community

assessment Visioning workshops (preliminary

goals) Celebration Continuation of the planning

process

Outreach Media plan The program and process People and materials Logistics

Organizing for Visioning

Techniques and Methods:

Limited resources: Questionnaires Workshop:

Brainstorming Scenario building SPOT or TOPS analysis Focus groups

Moderate to high resources: Multiple workshops to focus

on specific topics Design charettes Cognitive mapping Image preference surveys Photographic journals

Techniques and Methods:

Questionnaires:

Mail Newspaper Workshop Questions to elicit information on

what people treasure, what obstacles are present, what changes should occur, etc.

Brainstorming:

Generate ideas Discuss and reach consensus

on the issues and ideas Prioritize the issues Can address multiple topics:

treasures, strengths, obstacles, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, plans, and strategies

SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

TOPS Analysis

Treasures Obstacles

Plans Strategies

Scenarios:

Imagine different futures: Extending current trends Conditions/economy/quality of

life get worse Specific new future(s)

Choose a scenario – determine how to achieve it

Focus groups:

Conduct any of these activities with individual groups that focus on a topic, area, or issue (Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood, mobility, for example)

Design charettes:

Solve design problems, such as downtown or a specific neighborhood

Consider architecture, urban design, styles of development

Use design professionals to support the program

Cognitive mapping:

“Mind map” Identifying physical

constraints Identify community problem

areas Help understand physical

relationships

Image preference surveys:

Compare different styles of development

Use paired photographic images

Questionnaires identify preferences

Photographic journal:

Individuals bring photos of treasured places and places that need change

Collect photos from other communities that represent a desired future

Compile final results Use a format to share and

distribute (flyers, brochures, newspaper insert)

Hold a celebration

Almost last step in visioning:

Feedback – “did we get it right?”

Benchmarks – measure success of future plans and programs

Honor the participants Build leadership for continued

efforts

Celebration

Start the process to create a vision for your community

2 brief exercises Discuss the results of the

exercises

Visioning Exercises

Exercise #1

Three basic visioning questions: “What do you like?” “What would you like to see

changed?” and “What do see 10 years in the

future?”

Exercise #2

Begin to develop your Visioning Program and Outreach Plan

Consider your municipality’s level of available resources

Identify visioning techniques List the action steps to begin visioning Identify ways to “get the word out”

about the visioning process

Visioning

DISCUSSION,NEXT STEPS

&QUESTIONS