MPG Shows How to Implement “Green Zones” at National Planning Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick Moore, (318) 445-2825
Date: February 16, 2010

Demonstrating how to help cities improve livability, award-winning Moore Planning Group presented a workshop on instituting “green” land use policies at the ninth annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Seattle, Wa. February 4-6, 2010.

The conference attracted more than 1700 nationwide policy makers, planners, elected officials and others who sought strategies for improving quality of life in cities and towns across the country. Moore Planning Group’s Founding Principle Patrick Moore and Director of
Planning Nathan Gaspard were chosen to deliver their workshop, “Prioritizing Green Space: Land Use Strategies for Cities,” which also featured Mayor Gene McGee of Ridgeland, Ms. and Ridgeland Director of Community Development Alan Hart.

Ridgeland, a Moore Planning Group client city, passed an ordinance in late 2008 that makes green space equivalent to commercial space, a move that increases both passive and active recreational opportunities by tenfold. The policy change not only improves health and
vehicle/pedestrian balance, it keeps unwarranted development out of the city’s flood plain and is attracting new investors.  The strategy was
recommended by Moore Planning Group, which created a community master plan for the Ridgeland the same year.

“Green space is seen as one of the best expressions of a city’s commitment to its citizens, but most of the time it still is forced to
compete with higher priority items, like commercial developments,” said Moore. “What we see in Ridgeland is a great example of increasing green space through dedicated ‘green zones’ – areas that will not be affected by future development.”

Moore Planning Group’s interactive session examined how communities can affordably convert lands into green space, build a case to the
community, connect parks to public health goals, and propose strategies and policy changes to a local decision-making body.

"Moore Planning Group demonstrated to a national audience real-life, tangible strategies for creating greener communities. The presentation
showed innovative approaches that can be used to improve cities and make a real difference in enhancing quality of life,” said Louisiana State Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, District 15. “We're pleased to have the firm in Louisiana, and proud to see them share best practices at such a respected and significant gathering."

Ouachita Parish District F Police Juror Pat Moore (no relation) said the material gave her ideas for combating a serious problem in her area.

“With obesity being a large problem here, combined with our wanting to grow smart, we are looking forward to implementing many of the things presented in Moore Planning Group's talk," she said.

For more information, please call Moore Planning Group at (318) 445-2825, www.mooreplanninggroup.com.