NOTES FROM FLORIDA TRUST CONFERENCE

Keynote Speaker Robert McNulty Challenges our Notions of Sustainable Communities

Last week at the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Orlando, the keynote speaker, Mr. Robert McNulty of Partners for Livable Communities, challenged our notions of sustainable development. He boldly asked the audience to think of our heritage as the infrastructure for the future. Outlining the country's greatest challenges--the economy, immigration, our aging population, and the growing concerns surrounding health and obesity--he asked us to think of our heritage as a sustaining resource.

Mr McNulty's notion of sustainability, or "livability" as he calls it, encompasses more than just green building. He defines livability as, "the sum of the factors that add up to a community's quality of life--including the built environment, economic prosperity, social stability and equality, educational opportunity, and cultural entertainment and recreational possibilities."

He provided several examples of creative ways various nonprofits have worked to highlight the connection between a community's heritage and its future opportunities, and, as I listened to this presentation, I could not help but think, "RAP is already doing this work!"

Our members have long understood the critical relationship between a community's past and its future and, although RAP's efforts connecting the two have not always made a straight line, where we've done it well we have been able to add real depth to the community experience.

With Riverside Arts Market, RAP created not only an attractive venue for the arts and a source of locally grown fruits and vegetables, but also an event that brings together people of all ages. Our popular Spring Tour of Homes pays homage to the community's unique historical architecture and proffers examples as to how homes can be successfully rehabilitated while maintaining their architectural integrity. Our award-winning podcast gets people moving by encouraging them to rediscover the neighborhood and its stories via alternative methods of transportation, such as bicycles and by walking.

As a newcomer to the organization, I'm proud that RAP's efforts have positioned it ahead of the curve, and I am excited to get to work on new programs that continue the mission of enhancing and sustaining this community. The road ahead looks very promising, indeed.