The future vision
Brewster McCracken's vision for Austin's future
leadership in emerging technologies • forward-thinking land use policies • future-oriented urban transportation networks • growth with values
How we prepare for the future is a reflection of our values and vision.
Austin has become one of the world's most admired cities. The economist Richard Florida describes innovative emerging regions around the world as "Global Austins."
Austin's success has not happened by accident. Our current accolades also do not guarantee future success. To achieve a better future, we must pull together to ensure that Austin prepares for change while holding on to the qualities that have brought us all here in the first place.
We can create a better future for Austin by focusing on four fundamental policies and principles.
Leadership in Emerging Technologies
From semiconductors to clean energy, wireless to digital media, Austin is on the cutting edge of the global technology economy.
To remain a dynamic region, Austin's economic strategy must focus on leadership in key emerging technologies sectors. Austin's emerging technologies vision should include the following:
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Forward-Thinking Land Use Policies
Over a million people will move into the Austin region over the next 20 years. Our future vision must guide the decisions we make today, or Austin in the future will lose much of what makes our city a great place to live today.
We can insure that Austin in the future remains the city we love today by implementing a forward-thinking vision of protecting green spaces, promoting mixed use development on major corridors, protecting the character of historic neighborhoods, catalyzing Downtown and leveraging density to increase the availability of affordable housing.
Future-Oriented Urban Transportation Networks
Austin will soon become the nation's 15th largest city, and we are on track to become the second largest city in Texas.
To ensure a beter future, Austin needs to create modern urban transportation networks of roads and rail systems.
Growth with Values
Austin has become an international example that growth with values is not only possible, but in fact it is the only way to create a better future.
To ensure that Austin remains a community consistent with our values, we must focus on policies that promote growth not for growth's sake, but growth that promotes and reflects our values. These policies include leveraging density to increase the availability of affordable housing, protecting green spaces, expanding green building and clean energy and establishing the nation's best urban trail system to link green spaces and connect people with nature.