If you are a local government that would like to have a VillageTown in your jurisdiction
Developers observe that half the work of real estate development is securing local government permission. The VillageTown does not use a developer, but rather it organizes the people who will live there to enable them to provide for their economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing. It also tries to identify all of the obstacles to securing local government and regulatory permission and propose designs that avoid those obstacles.
For example, it builds a greenbelt that covers 60% of the land to prevent cross-boundary conflicts with neighbors. It designs a 24/7 complete community so there are no outbound commuters clogging the roads. It pays its own way and does not burden the host government systems with additional demands... indeed it may become a profit center for the host government as well as a showcase of sustainable living.
The first VillageTowns need to be located in the best regions possible. They need to prove their value and for this location is a prime consideration. The VillageTown Stewards have identified some potential regions, but a key consideration is the receptiveness of the host jurisdiction.
If you would like to put forth your local government as a potential host for a VillageTown, we want to hear from you. Some of our questions are outside your control. How close to a major airport, how far to a major city? Others are within your control. In particular, we propose an approval process called Dynamic Engagement to cut the time for approvals without reducing public protection (indeed, we believe this system gives the concerned public a greater voice). We seek human-scaled streets, which means that Design by Fire Truck is anathema to us. Remember there is no developer... this is a very different relationship between your local government and the future development of a VillageTown in your jurisdiction.
Currently we are working on a draft worksheet for nomination. But for now, use the Contact link above to open the dialogue. We look forward to hearing from you.