New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 20203Charting Our CourseA Vibrant Seaport CommunityThis vision of New Bedford is one that began nearly250 years ago. In the mid-1700s, Joseph Rotch purchased13 acres of land along our deep harbor, establishing thewhale fishery that transformed the small village into athriving port. A century later, the boon of the textileindustry swelled our population, spurred thedevelopment of vast new ethnic neighborhoods, andexpanded the city’s growth to the north and south. Withinthe last century, the emergence of commercial fishingand processing secured our national prominence as acenter of global commerce, wholly connected to the sea.“The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, inall New England…nowhere in all America will you findmore patrician-like houses; parks and gardens moreopulent, than in New Bedford. Whence came they?...Yes;all these brave houses and flowery gardens came fromthe Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.”—Herman Melville, Moby-DickToday, our commercial fishing fleet, recreational, andresearch vessels have replaced the hulking whaling ships of the past. Our historic mill buildings, that oncecontained thousands of spinning looms, are being preserved and transformed for new uses. While whaling andtextiles no longer fuel an economy that drives the success and growth patterns of the city, our identity as avibrant and ethnically diverse seaport community holds fast.As we look toward our future with an understanding of our heritage, and the knowledge and desire totransform our industries and practices of the past, we are forging a comprehensive, inclusive, and balancedstrategy that aims to:> Value education at every level, every age and every stage of life;> Embrace our connection to the sea by enhancing public access, expanding public education of our marineresources, supporting a sustainable and diverse working harbor, encouraging responsible developmentalong the water’s edge, and providing enriching on-the-water experiences;> Strengthen and celebrate our diverse neighborhoods by re-establishing walkable commercial centers,protecting and respecting the historic and cultural landscape, enhancing and expanding open-space andcommunity activity, and ensuring that safe and stable housing is available to all;> Build strategic areas of sustainable growth for job creation through sound planning, transforming historicmills, enhancing pubic infrastructure, transparent and efficient policies, and maximizing privateinvestment in emerging growth industries;Charting Our Course3-1