En grupp universitetslärare och 40 arkitektstudenter på University of Arkansas använde sig av scenarioplanering för att förstå det långsiktiga värdet av att investera i lätt spårburen infrastruktur i delstaten.
Scenarierna blev så bra att man fick pris av American Institute for Architects för insatsen.
Slutsatsen blev att värdet av att investera i en sådan infrastruktur i ett längre perspektiv var större än man tidigare kunnat visa:
“If Northwest Arkansas is still relying on fossil fuels by 2020, that will be the death knell for further economic development. By then, business will go to those areas using renewable energy sources, because ultimately, that will be cheaper,” said Stephen Luoni, director of the Community Design Center. Creative, cutting-edge businesses also factor in quality of life in their decision-making: “People want affordable downtown housing, which transit-oriented development would foster. And they’re tired of sitting in traffic,” he said.
[…]
Though critics express concern about the estimated cost to build a light rail system, doing nothing could cost more in the long run.“Seventy-five metro areas are planning or already have built light rail systems,” Luoni said. “To be economically competitive and environmentally sustainable, our region needs to rethink energy and transportation issues.”
En kommentar från juryn:
“this is an effective use of scenario planning with legible, impactful graphics that can be shown to the community.”
Ladda ner en kortversion av rapporten (PDF)
Läs notisen på: University of Arkansas: Light Rail Study Wins National Award
Gå till The University of Arkansas Community Design Center
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