Principles

Principles for the Center for Towns’ Impact on Eastern Shore Towns

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is launching the Center for Towns as the most strategic approach to catalyze a healthy, vibrant and sustainable region through leadership development, community design, and on-the-ground projects.

 

Sustainable Neighborhoods

Restore and enhance compact, safe, human-scale and connected neighborhoods.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Have well-defined centers, edges, paths, nodes and landmarks

-          Mandate neighborhood design for the human scale

-          Offer affordable, diverse and well-integrated housing options

-          Integrate stormwater and waste infrastructures efficiently, effectively and compactly

Vibrant Local Economy

Enhance productive, efficient town economies that are anchored in the landscape.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Support and integrate sustainable agriculture, enriching human capacities while regenerating natural systems

-          Support local businesses, retail and depend on community lenders first

-          Embrace creativity and counteract the ‘brain drain’ of young people and entrepreneurs

 

Pride in Heritage and Place

Protect and enhance towns’ unique character, developing clearly defined identities and visions.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Preserve sacred spaces and assets, celebrating history, culture and industry as a strategy for building identity

-          Engender an ethic of stewardship, reinvesting public resources into existing communities and building contextually

-          Offer equal opportunity for community expression through art and culture

 

Regional Leadership and Resiliency

Prepare our communities to be leaders in protecting the Bay and combating regional effects of and contributors to climate change.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Support municipal and community leaders with the knowledge, resources and plans to implement policies that protect the Bay and mitigate the effects of climate change

-          Implement policies and infrastructures that reduce municipal impacts on the Bay watershed

 

Conservation of Resources

Conserve and protect limited resources, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Reclaim and remediate vacant and underutilized town land

-          Conserve energy and employ renewable energy sources

-          Manage growth and develop greenbelts to reinforce the conservation of land resources

 

Healthy and Accessible Ecosystems

Restore, protect and enhance local ecosystems.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Integrate local ecosystems symbiotically within the built fabric of town

-          Provide equitable access to open space, nature and healthy local foods

-          Emphasize ecological awareness among their citizenry

 

Equitable and Innovative Communities

Protect and enhance whole, diverse and civil communities through innovative, responsive and entrepreneurial local governance.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Engage in public debate rooted in civility, partnership and always with a goal of providing a forum of dignity for all

-          Manage and plan for the use of citizens’ resources conservatively

-          Utilize technology and the internet to engage all people in decision-making processes Nurture visionary and entrepreneurial leadership that bridges boundaries

 

Complete Mobility Networks

Restore and enhance compact, connected and complete mobility networks that make streets safer, more pleasant and attract new investment.

In 2050, Eastern Shore towns…

-          Connect to one another through effective regional transport systems

-          Are built upon roads, paths and transit systems that connect rather than divide

-          Revitalize the character of neighborhood streets by more efficiently integrating parking on streets and at the center of blocks

-          Provide pedestrian-friendly streets and trails, encouraging healthy lifestyles