The UEL has a proud 10-year history of involvement in important local issues – from preserving Virginia Key and Bicentennial Park from thoughtless development to leading the struggle to preserve the Urban Development Boundary Line by working with other local organizations in forging a new constituency that is sensitive to environmental and equity issues, housing, and overall better planning.
Our core mission is to ensure environmentally responsible, smart growth oriented planning in Miami-Dade County. In our advocacy and education efforts we focus on five main policy areas. these include:
Growth Management & Urban Design
- UDB: UEL is a proud advocate for the Hold the Line Campaign, seeking an end to Urban Development Boundary expansions into rural and agricultural lands. We maintain constant supervision of pending development applications that seek to expand the boundary, and lobby our elected officials to end the irresponsible practice of expanding sprawl into natural areas.
- Growth Management: At the state level, the UEL vigorously supports improved growth management programs and rigorous community planning initiatives to set the vision, develop policies and formulate implementation program. We oppose the current efforts led by Governor Rick Scott to weaken growth management laws, and urge our local representatives to be responsible stewards of public lands.
Parks and Open Space
- UEL calls for increased pubilc participation in plans for Virginia Key and Bicentennial Park, both of which can become extraordinary amenities for our City’s residents and visitors
- UEL strongly supports keeping public lands for public use
Waterfront Space
- UEL will monitor the hotel development on Watson Island to assure the project adheres to permitted guidelines approved by the City of Miami
* UEL will sponsor a series of Community Forums (lunch and dinnertime programs) presenting current, provocative community issues wth diverse viewpoints.
* UEL will support increased public participation in government planning and policy-making
* UEL advocates support for affordable, workforce, mixed-income housing opportunities and vibrant, cohesive, stable neighborhoods
One Response to Issues
Welcome to the UEL.ORG
The UEL is a advocacy organization that supports environmentally responsible development and smart growth. We work to protect the public waterfront, public spaces, and historic and natural areas in Miami-Dade county. Our blog is a forum for discussion, and may not reflect the opinion of all board members. If you support smart growth and environmental protection please join us!
Planning News- PATH to Ruin: New York Builds the World's Costliest Train Station May 18, 2013Stephen Jacob Smith examines how high emotions, grand designs, poor negotiating, and "extreme politicization" drove the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build the world's most expensive train station in Lower Manhattan. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Energy Secretary Confirmed; EPA Pick Advances May 18, 2013On May 16, President Obama's pick to head the EPA, Gina McCarthy, was approved on a 10-8 party-line vote by a Senate Committee and advances to the full Senate. His pick to head the Dept. of Energy, Ernest Moniz, was approved by the Senate by 97-0. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Friday Funny: The Solution for Distracted Walking May 17, 2013New York City's DOT recently launched a pilot program to make city streets safer for those texting while walking. Well not really. But for some trusting New Yorkers, “Seeing Eye People” is a service worth utilizing. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Court Ruling Imperils Los Angeles BIDs May 17, 2013The Arts District Business Improvement District in downtown Los Angeles was recently ordered to dissolve by a Superior Court judge for providing dubious economic development services. Other area BIDs fear the ruling could threaten their operations. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Where in America is it Easiest to Bike to Work? May 17, 2013Today, the U.S. is celebrating Bike to Work Day. With increasing investment in bike infrastructure across the country, cycling is becoming a commuting option for more and more workers. Richard Florida looks at the places where it's easiest. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Video Allegedly Shows Toronto Mayor Smoking Crack Cocaine May 17, 2013In what may be the saddest and most shocking turn yet in the saga of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, a video has reportedly surfaced that appears to show the Mayor smoking crack cocaine. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Bay Area Commuters Clamor for More Ferry Service May 17, 2013Several days a week dissatisfied patrons are left behind when full boats depart the Larkspur Ferry Terminal in Marin County. More ferries to SF are planned, as are new parking fees at the terminal and shuttle service for those who forgo driving. […]Jonathan Nettler
- 'Multi-Story Stomach' Solves Supermarkets' Spoiled Food Problem May 17, 2013A first of its kind waste-to-energy plant in Los Angeles produces enough energy to power 2,000 homes per year by processing 150 tons of spoiled supermarket food per day. Could this model help other grocers reduce their environmental footprint? […]Jonathan Nettler
- Can a New Streetscape Help Heal Syracuse's Low-Income Near Westside? May 17, 2013The winners of a competition to rethink the streetscape along 5 blocks of Syracuse's Near Westside hope to "get people out on their feet" and improve public health in the historically low-income neighborhood. […]Jonathan Nettler
- Ways to Fail at Form-Based Codes 04: Don’t Capture the Character May 17, 2013Form-based codes extract the DNA of the desired local character, and enable it by right. Hazel Borys talks about how to get the numbers right in this week's Back of the Envelope. […]Jonathan Nettler
- PATH to Ruin: New York Builds the World's Costliest Train Station May 18, 2013
Pay for the Orchids and Onions Here!
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