submitted by Paul DeCamp, AICP, District 6 Director

In 2008 the cities of Augusta, Georgia and North Augusta, South Carolina, and the private, non-profit organization Augusta Tomorrow, Inc., partnered to develop a unique joint master plan for the two communities. The Westobou Vision: the Augusta / North Augusta Master Plan for the Urban Area was adopted by both communities earlier this year. ICON Architecture, Inc. of Boston led a team of consultants that prepared the plan.

The word “Westobou,” the Native American word for the Savannah River, was used to capture the regional nature of the plan and to highlight the natural resource shared by both communities. The shared vision outlined in the plan is based on the goals of linking the two cities in multiple ways, establishing a regional / national center for learning and innovation and creating a vibrant place to live, work and play.

The study area included the downtowns of both cities, plus adjoining areas that included historic neighborhoods, regional gateways and underutilized / vacant parcels. The study area was divided into nine (9) action districts based on such factors as history, land use, development patterns, assets and opportunities.

The plan includes nine (9) “market creation projects,” along with recommendations for other initiatives to improve transportation linkages with other metropolitan areas, attract more retirees to the region and take advantage of regional health, science and technology assets. The market creation projects are designed to build strong economic and social ties between the two cities, bring people back downtown, offer new and attractive products, services and attractions, help brand the urban area under a common theme and complement existing development projects and public improvements.

Plan development was marked by almost one year of intense outreach that included five public meetings, several neighborhood meetings, over 100 meetings with individual / group stakeholders and briefing sessions with elected officials. Public and private sector “champions are now working on the implementation of the market creation projects and other initiatives recommended by the plan.

For more information contact Ms. Camille Price, Chief Administrative Officer, Augusta Tomorrow, Inc., (706) 722-9100 or e-mail cprice@augustatomorrow.org. Additional information about the Westobou Vision is online at www.augustatomorrow.org.

The Georgia Planning Association descended upon Athens, GA, for its 2009 Fall Conference and annual meeting. From September 30 through October 2 more than 325 registrants and another 50 presenters, sponsors and organizers participated in dozens of training sessions and 5 mobile workshops while also making time for networking and a pair of receptions.

The event kicked off Wednesday with a plenary presentation that featured both a sample of GPA’s new documentary video on the history of planning in Georgia and a discussion from Paul Kelman, VP of Central Atlanta Progress. This provided a comprehensive overview of how the practice of planning has evolved in, and influenced, the state of Georgia.

The presentation also set the stage for the subsequent training sessions and workshops that would help everyone with professional development and with maintaining AICP certification. Full attendees had the opportunity to earn more than 10 CM credits while choosing from sessions in either the land use, environment, transportation or professional development tracks. Meanwhile, 5 mobile workshops introduced attendees to sustainability in practice in metro Athens, including completed samples of green development and model farms for communities striving to consume more locally produced foods.

The Fall Conference also provides an opportunity for special Association business. Wednesday night’s opening reception saw GPA raise more than $2,000 for the Denise Aboud scholarship fund. During the Thursday’s annual meeting outgoing president Ellen Heath touted the success of the conference in light of the current economic times, urging everyone to continue supporting the profession and those members struggling with employment. She illustrated how GPA remains in good financial and operational standing and then proceeded to hand over the reigns to the new president, Jeff Watkins.

Innovation in development and public participation ruled the day Friday as GPA held its annual awards luncheon, honoring several projects for their special qualities and achievements in planning practice. This included the introduction of two new categories, Great Places In Georgia and Grassroots Initiatives, and featured a variety of efforts diverse in scale, issue and intensity.

Considering the times and other obstacles the 2009 Fall Conference was a resounding success. GPA wishes to thank the Classic Center, Athens Transit and all our sponsors and partners for helping make the conference happen. We hope everyone learned a great deal and encourage everyone to join us in March of 2010 as we venture to Macon for our annual Spring Conference.

October 13 - 14
Planning Commissioner Training

October 14 - 16
APA South Carolina Fall Conference

October 16
Call for Proposals DUE

October 21 - 23
ArcGIS Desktop II

October 21 - 23
NCI Charrette System™ Certificate Training

October 23
Electronics Recycling

October 25 - 28
Transit Trainers‘ Workshop

October 28 -30
National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference

For more calendar dates, please visit the GPA Calendar.