Rhodemap RI Public workshop

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee announced today that the Rhode Island Division of Planning’s Statewide Planning Program is sponsoring five public workshops during the month of October to get input from Rhode Islanders on if, how and where their communities should grow.
The gatherings represent Round Two of a four-part Great Places workshop series. This effort is just one part of the ongoing RhodeMap RI planning process, a comprehensive statewide planning strategy that also includes plans for housing and economic development. The Great Places work includes the identification, mapping and intersection of Green Resources (water supply, farmland, cultural areas, historic sites, recreation and open space areas), Economic Resources (land use, transportation networks, water and sewer, power and communications), and Social Resources (community facilities, social services, public transportation, labor/workforce opportunities). This will result in a series of regional, city and town maps showing those areas of the state where growth and revitalization makes the most sense, based on the location of roads and other infrastructure and the need to protect important natural and cultural resources.
Those who attend will hear an update on the green assets mapping presented at the first round of meetings. Next, a brief presentation on the existing Economic and Social Resources mapping will be followed by small group discussions, where participants will be asked to confirm what is represented on the maps and identify opportunities for future growth and conservation. Residents, businesses owners and municipal officials will respond to the following questions:
 Are there economic or social assets missing from the maps? Should specific features or services be added?
 Many communities have already identified areas for revitalization or future growth. Do these make sense based on the location of existing economic and social assets? Are there additional areas that should be considered for growth or revitalization?
 Are there existing or potential activity centers or transportation corridors that serve an entire region?
 Which of the green assets or systems are most important to the region?
 What additional information is needed to plan more effectively for the future?