Friday, November 17, 2023 Chad Swiateki
Recent discussions among local development leaders about the city’s character didn’t draw a clear line between Old Austin and New Austin, but they focused on diversity and equity, opportunities for the region’s youth, and stewardship of growth. The main focus was on issues such as the struggle for independence.
Wednesday’s Urban Land Institute panel discussion featured local creative economy leaders and parks advocates, and asked engineers, developers and other real estate professionals how each industry makes Austin one of the largest cities in the United States. We have given guidance on how to move towards this.
Carl Settles, executive director of the E4 Youth Creative Agency, said recent state legislation cutting back on parkland set aside from new construction projects may help developers financially, but it also reduces the quality of life for residents. He reminded the audience that it would have a negative impact. Settles, who is Black, also highlighted the city’s history of racism and the continued decline of its Black population.
“When I was young, there was no equity for black people here in Austin, and East Austin was devastated,” he said. “Since then, Austin has continued to grow and blossom, but during that time the number of black people living here has declined. Austin’s most sought-after real estate is in East Austin. Many people have been forced out. It’s very difficult for people to stay here.”
Roy Spence, one of the founders of advertising agency GSD&M, said city leaders urged the company to move its headquarters downtown in the late 1990s, when the city center was struggling. I remembered that. As the city’s fortunes change and growth pressures impact every region, city leaders must look beyond adapting to growth and instead determine the city’s future mission. said Spence.
“What we’re doing now in Austin is stimulating progress rather than maintaining the core. We’re not in the business with a purpose. In my opinion, our is in a growth business. We need to become less of a political city and more of a purpose-driven city. We need to focus on purpose over policy,” he said. “Austin could become America’s first city to develop a statement of purpose. Aristotle said… ‘Your purpose lies at the intersection of your talents and the world’s needs. ”
Noting local parks and their efforts to support major cultural institutions like the Austin City Limits Festival, Joy Kasnofsky, chief mission officer of the Austin Parks Foundation, the festival’s promoter, said: He said that by partnering with C3 Presents, they were able to raise $50 million to support parks across the city. He cited future reductions in parkland by developers because of the state, and said the city will have to find new ways to maintain its character while making room for a constant influx of new residents. Told.
“What Austin and many other Texas cities are facing is that we are fighting to govern ourselves within the constraints of Texas,” she said. “Whether it’s park occupancy ordinances or things that are encouraged in terms of traffic, I would have to look around the Capitol and say, we don’t necessarily have alignment with the state government in Austin. I think I’m trying to create something’ influence. And that’s difficult. ”
Despite these challenges, Luis Patiño, CEO of Austin PBS and Austin City Limits, said the city’s brand continues to stand out nationally.
Patiño, who recently returned to Austin from the West Coast, said shows like “Austin City Limits” and the recent hit series “Taco Mafia” have helped boost the city’s reputation.
“What I realized when I came back is that I kind of take it for granted now that I’ve been here in the bubble, that I almost have an obligation and a responsibility to be a good steward of the Austin brand.”
Photos are available through a Creative Commons license.
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