Framework for Regional Growth - Part 3 – Final Highlights

Growth and Investment Guidance. The last chapter suggests strategies for development in developed areas (cities), developing areas (sparsely settled), and rural areas. It categorizes those as Prime Policy and Policy Sub areas and offers economic development and public investment strategies. Some examples:

Developed Areas – (Cities)
Bullet point 3:
“ Explore the feasibility of creating a regional “Main Street” organization modeled after successful programs of the National Main Street Center.” and

Bullet point 9:
“…improve local accessibility, encourage sidewalks, and pedestrian/bicycle trails…and continue to promote public transit use, walking, and biking as alternatives to automobile use.”

Developing Area Policies & Strategies (Sparsely settled)
Development Guidance Strategies
Bullet Point 3:
“Minimize conversion of significant open space, agriculture lands, and natural systems.”

Natural & Cultural Overlay Policies and Strategies.
Bullet point 1:
Establish priorities for the conservation of regionally, nationally, and internationally significant natural and cultural heritage resources including the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario waterfronts, the Niagara River Greenway, the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks System.

Bullet Point 3:
Support regional initiatives to indentify potential greenway, open space, and trail linkages within and between regionally significant natural and cultural heritage corridors; support public and private efforts to preserve rights-of-way and complete appropriate improvements…”