A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the idea of "Creative Placemaking" during a presentation made by the phenomenal, Carol Coletta, past-CEO of CEO's for the Cities - "a civic lab of today's urban leaders catalyzing a movement to advance the next generation of great American cities." Speaking from her heart, Carol addressed a Friday afternoon, Hilton Bayfront crowd, made mostly of local real estate developers, during which she wove the sentiments of the day's earlier presenters into her talk. A true intellectual, Carol kept coming back to the day's main theme. The question was how do we, as San Diego, attract and retain a vibrant and diverse downtown demographic of urban dwellers - because, as we all know, this is what makes a city a major cosmopolitan, power house. The answers, as always, lies in both our artists and in the future as we know it.
Statistics now show that 18-24-year-old's want to live within a three-mile walking radius of both work and play; are driving later in life; and are less apt to purchase vehicles. In other words, proximity is key. Looking around the downtown San Diego landscape, we notice that our current public transportation system does not provide for the convenience that our future dictates. It took me over an hour of public travel time just to arrive in to downtown La Jolla - which is roughly 20 miles north - on Monday. UC San Diego, also located in La Jolla, is a major internal organ for our region. Aside from its large student body of almost 40,000 people, it is the primary home of our bio-medical research industry. A main artery should be, free and clear, for moving people to and from the city's heart to it's other, main organs.
So, how do we create the sustainable region that we all know is possible? TOGETHER. Full self empowerment is the recognition that the answers we seek do not come from outside of us. Rather, they come from within. If we want change, we must endeavor to create it ourselves. It isn't up to the government to "fix" anything. Just like it isn't up to large corporate entities to create jobs for us. It is up to us to demand that what we need is seen to and we do this by shifting our priorities and, thus, changing "Supply." This is how we affect change.
We are San Diego - it is time we stood up together and moved in the direction of true prosperity for all. Yes, this does mean that we will each have to give a little and that I will have to let go of some of my passionate convictions. In the end, it matters very little, though - because what we will always have is each other. This is true sustainability - all of us together leading fulfilling lives and enjoying a rich level of well being. Yes, it will require some transition for some of us and a lot of change for many of us. The question becomes: what do you choose? What feeds you?
I know what feeds me - you do.
And I hardly need for much more.
