Cuyahoga Valley: Organizing Ideas

Cuyahoga Valley

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		The Valley encompasses a complex mosaic of business enterprises, landscapes, natural features and neighborhoods. To provide clarity and structure to the Valley's complexity, we created Organizing Ideas, which bundle related issues to provide a unique perspective or way of "seeing" the Valley. These Organizing Ideas allow us to focus on the economic, environmental, and social systems of the Valley in a sustainable and integrated manner. The six Organizing Ideas are:

		+ Healthy Valley Essential Focus Restoration of natural systems Vision Statement Through ecological restoration, the Cuyahoga Valley will transform into an urban watershed, flourishing with life-sustaining natural systems to become an environmental treasure for the region once again. Critical Components Protection/restoration of sensitive lands (wetlands, streams, riparian buffers, steep slopes, woodlands) High-performance development practices (green building technologies) Utilization of natural systems for infrastructure services Community organization

		+ Business Innovation Essential Focus: Innovation to drive business vitality Vision Statement: By integrating sustainable systems into existing businesses and industries, the Cuyahoga Valley will become known as an industry and thought leader in providing models for economic development through environmentally friendly business practices. As a result, existing industries and assets will be optimized and new product families, industries and technologies will arise. Critical Components: Access to financial capital Land (through an assembly and regeneration mechanism) Capitalizing on emerging markets Culture conducive for risk taking Updated infrastructure

		+ Working River Essential Focus Optimizing the working ability of the river for multiple objectives Vision Statement: Imagine the Cuyahoga River as a state-of-the art working river that serves industry and recreation, and is supported by healthy natural systems. Critical Components River Dependency Viable Water Body Access to the River

		+ Valley Art & Design Essential Focus Advance the human craft of art and design Vision Statement As the Cuyahoga Valley experiences revitalization, new design paradigms will evolve that marry artistic expression with function to maintain the natural harmony of the Valley's surroundings while expanding the potential for economic growth. Through this integration, the Valley will be known as a hot spot for artists and destination center for cultural immersion. Critical Components Collaborative decision making that celebrates the Valley's physical character and cultural history Shared knowledge of the Valley Culture of experimentation and innovation

		+ Destination Cuyahoga Valley Essential Focus: Authentic experience as the driver for creating a world-class destination Vision Statement The Cuyahoga River Valley will become a recreation and leisure activity focal point through a series of experiences which embody the Valley's cultural, historical and ecological significance. By creating a significant tourist attraction rich in natural resources, the destination-center focus for the Valley will spur economic growth for the region. Critical Components Access to authentic places (resources) High-quality experience (relevance, coherence, authenticity, participant comfort and enjoyment) Marketing and public awareness

		+ Community Capacity Essential Focus Empowering communities to restore their neighborhoods and the Cuyahoga Valley Vision Statement Every community can combine its diverse assets and talents with global best practices in such a way that increases individual and community wealth, encourages the development of existing and new businesses, and brings about environmental health. Critical Components Create a built environment that facilitates daily community-wide interaction Draw from existing human, cultural, and physical assets to build communities Leverage outside resources to support locally driven development Collaborative decision making that uses a broad range of knowledge and expertise