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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2007
Contact: Jenna Kern-Rugile, 516-873-0230, jrugile@sustainableli.org
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LI at the Tipping Point: Area Residents Vote for Sustainable Future
Bethpage , NY — An audience of more than 300 cast their votes at Sustainable Long Island's first-ever conference on sustainable development issues, “Rethink, Rebuild, Renew: Creating a Sustainable Future for Long Island .” During the morning session at the April 20 event, each audience member used an interactive keypad to answer questions related to the Long Island they would like to see in the year 2030, and what steps need to happen to create a sustainable region.
The results speak volumes, breaking stereotypes about what is most important to Long Island residents, and what they see as the obstacles to creating a healthy economy and environment for all in the coming decades.
By a large majority, those in attendance—about half from the business world, with others primarily from the fields of education, non-profit and government—recognize the urgent need for change from business as usual if Long Island is to flourish in the coming decades. The top priority to creating a sustainable Long Island in 2030? Creating access of opportunities for all Long Islanders in housing, education and healthcare.
Some other key findings:
• While social equity issues often take a back seat when discussing Long Island's priorities, 79% of respondents view the integration of Long Island communities as very critical or critical for Long Island 's future.
• Nearly two-thirds (72%) want a wider range of housing options in their neighborhood, including mixed-use housing and multi-family dwellings.
• The top challenge to creating a sustainable LI was identified as multiple layers of government (49%) and lack of political leadership in the face of NIMBYism (32%).
“These results are a strong indication that Long Islanders are ready for a new way of doing business,” said Sarah Lansdale, Sustainable Long Island Executive Director. “They want real change: more housing options, integrated neighborhoods, and leaders who listen to their concerns and take bold action. They want everyone's voice to be heard in the process—not just those who hold the power.”
Sustainable Long Island 's community-based planning process answers those calls to action. “By helping form community leadership groups and bringing them together with municipal officials and business leaders at the beginning of the revitalization process, we make sure that the community takes the lead in making decisions about what they want their towns to look like,” said Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones, Director of Programs for Sustainable Long Island. “It's a true bottom-up and top-down approach.”
During town meetings, community forums, and other education and outreach efforts that last many months prior to the community planning weekend event, Sustainable Long Island offers information to help participants understand their options, and encourages them to develop community plans that will benefit not only those who live here today, but for generations to come. “Our consensus approach helps create an environment in which developers are eager to invest in these communities, and the fact that the plans are formally adopted by the towns means that the residents of the community can expect real action,” said Alfonso-Jones.
“Everything we do, from process through implementation and advocacy, is done with sustainable development principles in mind,” added Lansdale . “Our role is to break down barriers to change and facilitate a new way of doing business.”
All the results of the conference survey are available on Sustainable Long Island's website, www.sustainableli.org . In addition, website visitors can take the survey online. Said Lansdale, “We want to be sure that everyone has a voice in Long Island 's future.”
In late May, Sustainable Long Island will be revealing the results of a monograph done by Hofstra University that details our process in New Cassel. Further information will be available shortly.
About Sustainable Long Island :
Sustainable Long Island facilitates and implements a unique Sustainable Community Planning Process that educates stakeholders and identifies responsible solutions to strengthen quality of life for all Long Island 's residents. This process empowers community members and develops community based solutions supported by local governments to encourage housing options, enhance local businesses and economic strength, rejuvenate downtowns, identify energy solutions, remediate brownfields, improve environmental health, preserve open space, beautify communities, create transportation options, and develop a sense of place. The goal is to build consensus in a community of diverse ideas through the creation and implementation of a sustainable community plan that serves as a roadmap for the future development. Sustainable Long Island is located at 45A Seaman Avenue , Bethpage , NY , 11714 . For further information, call (516) 873-0230, or visit
www.sustainableli.org .
