|
So what are our Conditions and Trends today?
Communities throughout Northeast Ohio - and the United States - have long utilized a suburban land-use model, building low-density residential and commercial developments in various locations. This pattern has been embraced by the majority of marketers, developers, consumers, and political leaders as highly-desirable. And in many ways it has been.
 We have built a transportation system to accommodate this approach to using land. Our network of interstate highways, multi-lane arterials, and large parking facilities has in many ways done an admirable job of making this type of development possible.
All of this, however, has come at a cost. We are now a society that is automobile dependent and, by extension, oil dependent. Our "built environment" has been designed to accommodate cars rather than people. Many people find themselves in situations where they have to drive long distances, both to work and enjoy what Northeast Ohio has to offer, whether they want to or not.
It is becoming more and more apparent that we need to reassess how we have designed our urban areas for the past 60 years. And we need to do it soon.
So, what should we do? We can begin to give serious thought to a new way of doing things that makes our region more sustainable, protects what we value about our region, and offers all of us more choices about where and how to live and work.
 With the release of this Conditions and Trends platform, NEOSCC is launching a region-wide conversation about our region's future. We are not, however, tied to one particular course of action. We want to hear from you about your vision for our region and then work together to transform the feedback we receive into a workable plan for our communities.
Starting a Conversation
You'll notice we keep referring to this as a "platform" and you may be wondering what we mean. The Conditions and Trends Platform is not a "political platform" that lists NEOSCC's positions on issues; there are NO recommendations in the findings we present about the region. Instead, this Conditions and Trends Platform is:
- A foundation upon which we will build an even broader base of knowledge about our region.
- A place where we can stand while we have a conversation.
- A "launching platform" for an effort that will take Northeast Ohio to where it wants to go.
While NEOSCC has organized this platform and will continue to manage it, going forward it will belong to all of us. If you've read this far, it's obvious that you care about Northeast Ohio. We need YOU, your friends and family, and anyone you know who cares about Northeast Ohio to contribute what you know about our region - how you experience it, what makes it special, and what it needs. We need you to put this platform to use.
We are all experts about our own experiences. We are asking that you add your expertise to the common understanding of region we are building through this platform. By doing so, you will be helping to ensure that Northeast Ohio's future represents the best that we all have to offer.
Please visit and share the platform by clicking below.
| 
