The Way Forward

A report on the March forum in newsletter format was sent to all participants and is available from both the Urban Design Project and the Waterfront Regeneration Trust.  A full report of the March forum is available at the web-site of the Urban Design Project at the University at Buffalo — A good regional dialogue.

The response to the collaborative, bi-national approach was enthusiastic, and people were eager to participate directly.  Planning for a follow up conference began over the summer, and working groups met on both sides of the river.  Out of these discussions emerged the idea that the enterprise needed a strategic focus.  “Natural and heritage development” was chosen.

The selection of a strategic focus was not intended to eliminate the other themes.  Rather, a focus on natural and heritage development was understood to be a way to focus on immediate efforts on achievable goals.  At the same time natural and heritage development could be seen as a point of entry to issues of environmental quality (built and natural), reclamation of industrial lands, trade and transportation, and even knowledge-based industries.

Indeed, a number of projects were already moving forward by that time: a tourism marketing study for the U.S. side; a cross-marketing project for arts and cultural organizations in Western New York; discussions about an international people mover for Niagara Falls; continuing work on both sides of the Falls to improve park infrastructure; broader bi-national cooperation on transportation; and much more.

In November 2000 more than 70 participants reconvened in Lewiston, NY for a “Roundtable” on the natural and heritage development theme.  It was agreed then to move aggressively on building the theme toward a major action-oriented event in May 2001

The approach to Rethinking the Niagara Frontier assumes that public conversation, exchange of information, celebration of good ideas, and the sharing of success stories together provide a kind of coordinating power for action across a bi-national region.

Whether participants act alone within their area of responsibility, collaborate informally with other organizations, or participate in more formal federating structures is not the crucial issue.  More important is whether or not they participate in the process of defining a publicly shared vision of the region and acting upon it.

Photographic Credits:

1. Aerial View of the Niagara Gorege. Irene Rota. Waterfront Regeneration Trust

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