New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020Executive SummarySince 2006, strategic planning has been completed for seven citywide initiatives and 12 targeted developmentdistricts, positioning the City to advance a progressive agenda that addresses the critical components forachieving sustainable growth and development. These planning efforts have proven successful in theresurgence of downtown, historic mill redevelopment in the Upper Harbor, and establishing New Bedford as aleader in creating a sustainable future.While New Bedford is currently undergoing more concurrent community-based planning than at any othertime in the city’s history, New Bedford 2020 is the essential element needed to link these individual plans andinitiatives together, providing a unifying vision for the city’s future growth as a vibrant seaport community.New Bedford 2020 provides us with a framework of goals and objectives that serve as a policy guide for thephysical and cultural growth of our community—a means of translating our community's values into actions.A Community EffortThe master plan civic engagement process officially began in March 2009 when Mayor Scott W. Lang asked agroup of committed, diverse residents to serve on the Master Plan Steering Committee and act as theconscience of New Bedford 2020. These members were chosen based upon their expertise and knowledge ofvarious aspects of city life, including education, public safety, economic development, youth, immigration,environment, historic preservation, and the creative sector. Their dedication combined with their variedbackgrounds, ages, and experiences ensured that this plan heard and reflects the voices of the people of NewBedford.Beginning in April 2009 and continuing for four months, over 1,100 people participated in this planningeffort—young and old, from various backgrounds, all committed to sharing their ideas to create a unifiedvision for New Bedford’s future. Selfless volunteers assisted in translating and communicating in English,Portuguese and Spanish. The City hosted four public meetings and 11 focus groups discussions as well asparticipated in 10 neighborhood group meetings and 12 cultural or civic events.Traditional and modern forms of public outreach techniques were utilized to encourage residents, businessowners, visitors, and community supporters to participate in the master plan civic engagement process. Thesemethods included: press releases (in English, Portuguese and Spanish); newspaper articles (in English andPortuguese); public service announcements; interviews on local radio station WBSM; ads and public meetingson the Cable Access Channel; event calendars and newsletters; Neighbors United newsletter; social networkingon Facebook, Twitter, and e-blasts; and the New Bedford 2020 website.Building upon the momentum of these efforts, the City strives to sustain and build constructive relationshipsbetween citizens, community groups and public agencies through organized and grassroots civic engagementefforts in order to achieve the goals set forth in New Bedford 2020.For a full overview of the civic engagement process, see Appendix A.Executive SummaryS-1