Fourth Regional Plan Conference Themes: Revitalization, Technology, Affordability and Access

November 17th, 2014 by New Jersey Future staff

On Friday, Nov. 14, New Jersey Future, Together North Jersey and the Regional Plan Association convened the New Jersey Conference on the Fourth Regional Plan. Speakers included Chris Jones, RPA’s vice president for research; former New Jersey Gov. Jim Florio; executive director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey Staci Berger; Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz; and former Verizon president and chief executive officer Dennis Bone. Chris Jones set the stage with a review of the advances in the region that grew from previous regional plan recommendations, and and then an overview of RPA’s Fragile Success project, a map- and data-driven analysis of the region’s successes, opportunities and challenges. (Presentation.) Our colleagues at NJ Spotlight have provided this report on the conference.

Former New Jersey Gov. James Florio

With the Regional Plan Association fashioning a new strategy for the tri-state region, officials and others have suggested they should focus on revitalizing urban areas and how technology may dramatically change the job market in the future.

Further, they should not neglect the impact global climate change will have on the region, according to former Gov. Jim Florio. He was on a panel at the Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark on Friday, discussing issues affecting New Jersey as RPA prepares its fourth regional plan.

RPA is a nonprofit group that deals with a variety of issues affecting the tri-state region. Previous plans have been instrumental in proposing wide-ranging recommendations dealing with transportation, economic development, environmental issues, and open space in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Read the full article on NJ Spotlight.

Listen to the unedited audio:

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