University of Wisconsin - Extension

The way a community responds to pressing concerns such as rezoning, housing, unemployment or the need for new roads can shape its future for years to come. Unfortunately, important decisions are sometimes made without a clear vision of how residents want their communities to look in the future.

Building Our Future: A Guide to Community Visioning, by Gary Green, Anna Haines and Steven Halebsky, gives community members a new way to think about and plan for their future. It leads them through the process of "visioning," in which participants visualize the future they want for the community and plan how to achieve it. Both short- and long-term versions of the process are presented so that communities can select the one most compatible with their available time and resources.

The publication also tells how to apply the process to specific issues and how to carry out plans to implement the vision. Chapters on creating a vision for downtown revitalization, economic development, housing, land use, public works, natural resources, transportation and workforce development include many resources and worksheets.

For local officials charged with soliciting public participation as a condition for grants or loans, the guide can help bring meaningful input on matters that affect everyone in the community. Extension educators, local boards, neighborhood associations-anyone involved in community planning--will see benefits from the visioning experience.

Building Our Future: A Guide to Community Visioning is available from Extension Publications, 45 N. Charter St., Madison, WI 53715, 1-877-WIS-PUBS (947-7827). The cost is $45 plus shipping and handling.