Iowa Receives Green Light From Urban Land Institute!
Last November, the Greater Des Moines Partnership announced it was leading the charge to establish a local District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Establishing a local District Council is regarded as a useful tool for local developers, and to implement some of the core ideas outlined in the Capital Crossroads Regional Vision Plan and The Tomorrow Plan. The application process was managed the Partnership, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and led by Larry James Jr., a real estate lawyer at Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP, and a (Environment/Natural Capital) Capital Crossroads volunteer. Today, James announced Iowa’s application was successful, and the state is an officially recognized District Council.
The establishment of a local District Council further expands ULI’s network of 51 District Councils, which serve members and advance ULI’s community-building mission at the local and regional level throughout the United States. ULI Iowa, based in Greater Des Moines, will explore urbanization issues, land conservation, regeneration, land use, capital formation and sustainable development, all aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in the region and boosting economic prosperity. James has been elected 2014 Chair by the newly appointed ULI Iowa Board.
“ULI is the interdisciplinary global leader on land use and development. Establishing a District Council in Iowa allows us to leverage ULI's resources to build on our strengths and leverage the momentum we have across Iowa. In order to stay competitive in the marketplace, we must work to provide Iowans housing, workplace and transportation choices — ULI Iowa provides a platform from which to share best practices to accomplish this.” said James.
About Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.