Region Forward Blog Place + Opportunity: Strategies for Creating Great Communities and a Stronger Region Columbai Heights Jan 8, 2014 Today the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors approved Place + Opportunity a report that presents a regional framework to understand common challenges and opportunities among Activity Centers in our region. Examining a cross section of the region’s 141 Activity Centers the Place + Opportunity Project Team conducted detailed analysis of each Center’s market urban form and socioeconomic characteristics to identify six common Activity Center ‘place type
Region Forward Blog Region Readies For New Emissions Standards A clear sky over spring in Washington D.C. Photo by Pat Knight. Dec 19, 2013 Joe Kruger Director for Energy & Environment at the Bipartisan Policy Institute detailed new proposed regulations for coal power plants to the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) at their final meeting in 2014. States including Maryland and Virginia will soon be required by the Environmental Protection Agency to limit greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) on existing power plants EPA will propose the new rule next year.
Region Forward Blog COG Chairwoman Delivers a Year In Review Dec 16, 2013 2013 COG Chairwoman Karen Young delivered these remarks at last week’s Annual Meeting: Shaping Our Region’s Economy for The Metropolitan Revolution.
Region Forward Blog For 2014 Get Involved in Regional Transportation Environmental Issues Region Forward Dec 11, 2013 Looking for a civic-minded New Year’s resolution? How about getting involved in transportation air quality or climate and energy planning in the D.C. region? Two public advisory committees housed at the Council of Governments are recruiting new members—the Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee (ACPAC) and the Transportation Planning Board’s Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC). In addition COG’s Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee (CEEPC) is recruiting new stakeholder members.
Region Forward Blog Developers Discuss The Future of Development: Green Growth Developer plans for Pike & Rose in White Flint Rockville Maryland. Photo courtesy of Commercial Property Executive. Dec 4, 2013 At this month’s Climate Energy and Environmental Policy Committee (CEEPC) meeting real estate developers from Rockville to Manassas conveyed the future of place making: it is not oriented on driving to an office park. According to a guest panel LEED certified space proximity to Metro walkable business districts & nearby housing options are the future of development.
Region Forward Blog Q&A: Roger Berliner, Montgomery County Councilmember In this Region Forward Q & A, Berliner discusses among other topics: sustainability, energy conservation, and a regional leader that inspires him.
Region Forward Blog Leaders Asked to Test Housing and Affordability Tool Walkable development with transportation options in Crystal City VA. Photo by thisisbossi Nov 20, 2013 For most families housing and transportation are the two largest household budget items. When combined these expenses should not account for any more than 45 percent of household income. That number ensures that households can purchase quality food save for retirement and invest in education. Over the past decade researchers have begun mining data for insight on how to better achieve this balance.
Region Forward Blog Solar Power Initiatives Making D.C. Region More Sustainable Solar in Prince George's County Maryland Nov 18, 2013 Area leaders continue to move forward on projects to make solar power an option for more residents businesses and local governments. We’ve previously blogged about efforts in Arlington Frederick and Loudoun counties and in Charles County to create a strong long-lasting solar market in metropolitan Washington.
Region Forward Blog Region Forward: Advancing Health Workforce and Education Anthony Williams of Public Allies leads a discussion. Nov 6, 2013 Developing human capital in the Washington region is a key element of the Region Forward vision for a prosperous and livable greater Washington.
Region Forward Blog Securing Long Term Affordable Homeownership Opportunities with Shared Equity Chris Anderson of Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs & Elizabeth Oo of the Urban Institute at our event. Nov 5, 2013 As 1.5 million people are set to move into the Washington region by 2040 affordable housing will become critical for maintaining an educated middle class workforce. Shared equity homeownership is a tool that local governments can use that allows homes to remain affordable to middle and lower income households on a long-term basis. It does this by preserving affordable housing in areas where rising prices are forcing lower income households out of the market such as in the high cost Washington