Florida Planner Poses Problems
Ed Spears, planner, City of Pensacola writes:
Being there first hand and also from the written feedback we received, I can tell you it was a huge success. Our main challenge was to get all of the learning points communicated within a one hour time frame. Our staff created a dynamic base map that mirrors some of the features present in our community (Pensacola, FL population 56,000+). We drew in the interstate, railroad, coastline, small river and wetlands, etc.
We utilized the boxes that came with the set, but quickly realized we needed more items to really force the issues of density, reuse and zoning. We utilized laminated colored paper or fixed in place some of the larger land uses - mostly public facilities (Airport, Convention Center, Port, landfill, etc.) We also hid some land uses and surprised the participants with them throughout the game: we had one manufacturing plant be declared a Superfund Site midway through the game (a reality for Pensacola) and we had the Wal-Mart relocate and a "Grayfield" take it's place.
You will also see our cell towers in the pictures: the placement of which is a very real issue around here. As you page through the pictures, you will notice that as the game progressed, more and more people were standing and discussing every placement.
The quote of the night was made by one association president when she said while looking for space to place her home, "I don't know if I want to live in this city".
All in all, Box City met our needs and we now have a tool that we can use to quickly and enjoyably demonstrate the many facets of the Planning & Neighborhood Development department without the lectures of various zoning designations.
