I’ve become a huge promoter of the potential that Texas, and Dallas-Fort Worth in particular, has in store for the next 30 or so years. We live in an exciting place at the right time, and several large events over the next couple of years are going to take the region on bold new paths, including:
• Dallas will be the site of the New Cities Summit next summer. Touted as “the leading global event on the future of urbanization,” it’s slated to be held in the Arts District June 17-18, 2014. As part of this initiative, the New Cities Foundation, in partnership with the Dallas Arts District, is launching in Dallas the Global Cultural Districts Network. The Foundation “will support cultural districts—both planned and existing—and their contribution to the vitality and competitiveness of 21st century cities. GCDN members will work together on a long-term basis on the management and future planning of cultural districts worldwide.” (More details here.)
• The Congress for New Urbanism will hold its annual meeting in North Texas in May 2015. CNU promotes livable streets arranged in compact, walkable blocks; a range of housing choices to serve people of diverse ages and income levels; schools, stores, and other nearby destinations reachable by walking, bicycling or transit service; and an affirming, human-scaled public realm where appropriately designed buildings define and enliven streets and other public spaces.
• In October 2015, Dallas will host the Rail-Volution Conference, a gathering of “passionate people from over 300 communities, towns, and regions who want to engage in thoughtful discussion about building livable communities with transit.”
For Dallas-Fort Worth to be a competitive 21st century region, we need to embrace the future of urbanism with active human-scale streets and vibrant cultural, shopping, dining and entertainment areas served by transit.
Put these upcoming events on your calendar, and be part of the continuing efforts to enhance our region!
Bob Voelker, a shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr PC, is the business development coordinator of the firm’s real estate group.
