Watch the replay: Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing and Conservation
Healthy communities need both abundant, affordable housing and protected land that supports clean water, food production, climate resilience, and outdoor access.
Land is the common denominator - neither affordable housing nor conservation goals can be achieved without it. This unique, regional approach built on shared values, trust and mutual support is creating a new playbook.
Brought together by project co-conveners Rebecca Gillman Crimmins and Steve Rosenberg under the auspices of initial project sponsor Regional Plan Association (RPA), 14 of the region’s leading land trusts and affordable housing organizations are partnering to advance the effort. All 14 groups, along with The Nature Conservancy and eight private donors, contributed $183,000 to support the initial phase of work.
The groups participated in ten monthly meetings facilitated by the Consensus Building Institute beginning in July 2022, to build relationships and trust, share information, learn from experts in both fields, and consider what they can undertake together. In this short period, they have achieved several important outcomes:
- Developed a shared purpose statement that encapsulates the values and goals that bind them in this work.
- Created a list of shared public policy ideas for further exploration to de-silo existing programs and support both sectors; and
- Supported by RPA, created a GIS-based map of places that may be well-suited to collaborative projects.
In Spring 2023, Phase 2 of the project began with funding from The New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which grant is being administered by grantee and fiscal sponsor Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC).
![IMG 7800](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=97452f62d69cdb87aa93bec4fc24cb9e29a6f7570f0f38a2b31a8a156aa617c8 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=6fa4cdc427047b4ce0f3d0d685dda5630ce26c17a359b3a17564466de97ae23f 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=788e070be5df8bd279831d0417e2e8fd1fb4115ea9f3c5301e37ea7fb7023c5b 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=eb3f5a9291c72e82da1a139c39f1cddf986914ffd542871f14ef07118a917921 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=90a7a0d63012a59459c698cb5bfbe1d9e3f9515f648ad1266852c9e1163530fc 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=bea2ea4e986c3de02d5ca0b89f3e463a28b0850112ae875d788816ed1a4588ec 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=d7259d9d25a301a0561651c94d4fc9bb2a179ab85fa85e37512b17189603b5f4 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=a3dc1b21aa05f9a28778cf875d61ab5dceea6d4ca28ccfed992d60de84c83f88 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/IMG_7800.jpg?bossToken=b0203c943d7d439206474bd250a926c933ec6a97e98358e7f337a7293cc979c2 1543w)
The Current Context
The Hudson River Valley region that we call home is becoming an increasingly unsustainable and inequitable place to live. A variety of factors have contributed to the present reality: single family sprawl over denser, smart growth development; the COVID-19 real estate boom; vulnerable existing rental housing, and the perception that affordable housing brings unwanted change to communities. These factors have contributed to untenable real estate appreciation, the displacement of low-income and Black and Brown communities, and dwindling housing stock for families with modest incomes. Natural assets such as the Hudson River and its tributaries, hunting and fishing areas, and informal community open spaces are increasingly at risk due to unfettered real estate development. Climate change is threatening the environment. The loss of biodiversity, threats to sustainable agriculture and local food supply, urban heat islands, storm surges, and flooding are impacting our residents, infrastructure and resources. These challenges affect us all.
Affordable housing and land conservation organizations have made progress addressing these issues within their own sectors. Yet, the problems we face are too urgent, massive and intertwined to be solved alone. The current siloed approach is not accomplishing enough.
Our Vision
The Hudson River Valley is a sustainable and inclusive home to an economically and racially diverse community. Our work helps the region develop a holistic, equitable and proactive approach to housing, climate change, and land conservation.Our Work Together
We are banding together to take a holistic approach to these complex and urgent problems, and have a larger-scale impact. Collectively, we can better serve Hudson Valley residents and communities by meeting the need for affordable housing, conserving important lands for human and ecological benefit, and adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change. This collaborative approach allows us to leverage and learn from each sector’s successes, resources, methods, and constituencies. We hope that our collaboration will drive progress, serve as a model for change within and across sectors, and result in increased collaboration among our organizations and stakeholders. Our network makes us more nimble, equitable and expansive in serving our collective constituencies and realizing our vision.
We expect our work to include:
- Learning about each sector’s best practices and outcomes;
- Identifying shared interests and opportunities for collaboration;
- Leveraging our collective strength to pilot new approaches;
- Advocating for changes in public policy; and
- Communicating our shared priorities to our respective organizations, constituents, policy makers, and the public.
We hope that our collaboration will contribute to a thriving Hudson River Valley region that is more welcoming, inclusive, affordable, accessible, and sustaining all who live here now and in the future.
![HV Study Area for Web](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=6e892a02b138b5c180eff21946f242266fca3016aca3a3861cd07a245c634b10 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=6c9e6369a98fa2e0b05692b1c2ca5182982c309887d9aad289a85190331a9f87 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=58afdea3fffe2b93e9ed9aae9c15df2fcd0137231e78e795d0b14213322ae098 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=48e33434f6e4f92b4fbe9a35beac603bb477d7f13a4a150c4feae7de290a6cdd 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=e052b8d1d6841d1367062a3e3339445334dc35fc93b86460d10f737ed6d9e9ae 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=42d34e2a4ff63aac20b862fe974d7d545663ccb87017693ca69efc10c1df15fe 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=e1f259e7e562538f0c61492480978adf1d60efd3c6d84ff70e4ea74d839a4153 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=d84f2c751e9867dec6dc54ed76aae95975e0bc17f2734a40c6f3089c1c2fad3a 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2023-reports/Hudson-Valley-Housing/HV-Study-Area-for-Web.jpg?bossToken=71c74505ca8696c599c8dd661eb5de52a579e83d26d0025bba159b30870458d5 1543w)
Affordable Housing
![Screenshot 2024 03 11 at 4 12 06 PM](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=14841f21a5cf7af4c942627b6b71f7eee70a36529524fa449c8368ad8ea4ef73 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=25c6d0d7cb71dc8181f6d0b90a2e8eb9672c1bd6cca160c8d5d975b22873eb54 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=6e7e7839bdcb6c2bfa38ea1fb353fe3c6e32020c9c292baa00c4c804b0f35688 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=39137b392ed532a02f76935b3ff5a4dce9bf614e63a36ae4cdd3d9e865719aff 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=ea7e44d8cfd517d5ff65b5a990d5b15db9dab63758f3baf3551b375a0b4ee239 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=d1077883263ac0892c9de9ab37c008208051c7b368b8fa303561f078db760d8b 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=1ebe47b2e4602bb57b4a17e9bf156bd0ff550edf574034c54f2d41653ed0ed7b 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=c40d9dd0cd2e2528df2aff4a614f9ebee08b24af863aa1835f39fab3a0756c6b 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.06-PM.png?bossToken=a7ded6773f99a870f00ad5d66aba10a723f9381a468b7a0a4413d58d04b1b8a3 1543w)
Land Conservation
![Screenshot 2024 03 11 at 4 12 49 PM](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=cb2cb9f66af5f50a7014ee48b5259c8d6e0f86227ed179c4f8892025c3251d48 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=dc9683b3ec897d4af9d1c93133cbf27bcf1fca00a219abe9c45c5a4fc171a3c1 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=483ed42ae6f423050b0c05beb0b649a8ccd4038f87835661be9fb1c37d3c658a 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=f149185a435a130cde4c796eb1e17532cbc3814e3f344b58338e5dcdf40ff753 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=748ab80cd0c74527b29abf1e7adb646e7ba0ffda88db499cfcf249713702d745 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=a42966ff8090f940915dcd0e8ab30f218126790b710241ae6e8724ee943628ea 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=6e65e1b33f2a5901023a1182c02d92f67796cce9f7d62f7e8af34a6e6dccd6be 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=e79086ad5894ea1b2f97924424f7eb82e86e70c2a39e5eedfcb0cf4161ed0ba7 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Screenshot-2024-03-11-at-4.12.49-PM.png?bossToken=019eb96985cb9aced5d8290e2d5096c2d69cca1b3cfeb8b748494f8f4afffedb 1543w)
Affordable Housing
![Scenichudson 14703445 Medium](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=9447155429ed994e6e6e807f8ab5e09621ecb25b1cfc122a895cf84053e9de13 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=d91932e45407fa19e7d0bbba19ea77094f90d728584fd2e137da00c93faca33c 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=4edf9b4821e050e2448790ef70455a7a670ec1d1d7e43bfca17fe075c3a953d6 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=4177235d6fb489aa2ad0fecdc3b0780bb3b6e954036cffe8da24906ba338502e 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=27b3b316c5aad6dc9a26b6f368cc9c9b0f08a99cbc9f984ad9d6f49b99016675 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=1d47f342f7c929fd7cd352ee3289f98b3690cc712fa758707c3497167cda3fd1 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=9d96675a1db8ebd1cd43ad76a11f5f80188c0f6f96884e1a824efd02c1f4671c 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=3027ad048199bd1a8b285862e5f70ee0428cabde576a484f101fd867de32d819 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/general/scenichudson_14703445_Medium.jpg?bossToken=058d1c38f46665e718ccc53bf8f72333941a4c442e849f7888a8330056923015 1543w)
Poughkeepsie: Mid-Hudson Bridge and Walkway over the Hudson — image by Scenic Hudson Inc.
Regional Plan Association staff provided technical capacity to identify locations where the conditions appear to be conducive to on-the-ground collaboration. These are places where there is both suitability and perceived receptivity towards land conservation and affordable housing initiatives. The sites listed below reflect a quantitative analysis based on smart growth, land conservation and climate resiliency criteria, and a qualitative analysis of perceived political receptivity based on feedback from HVAH&C participants. Through this process RPA identified 32 potentially receptive localities, at least two per county within the study area. The locations include urban, suburban, and rural conditions.
Columbia County
Ancram town
Chatham town
Chatham village
Copake town
Hudson city
Kinderhook village
New Lebanon town
Philmont village
Dutchess County
Amenia town
Beacon city
Dover town
Millerton village
Pine Plains town
Poughkeepsie city
Red Hook village
Red Hook town
Stanford town
Washington town
Putnam County
Kent town
Philipstown town
Greene County
Athens village
Tannersville village
Ulster County
Kingston city
New Paltz town
New Paltz village
Orange County
Cornwall town
Cornwall-on-Hudson village
Middletown city
Newburgh city
Port Jervis city
Warwick town
Warwick village
Potential Places for Collaboration in the Hudson Valley
Places where conditions may be conducive to collaboration between affordable housing and conservation sectors.
Al Bellenchia, Executive Director/CEO, Columbia County Habitat for Humanity. The group provides affordable homeownership for traditionally underserved communities. Al has global experience in strategic planning, marketing, management, and organizational development. Under his leadership, Columbia Habitat is evolving to provide more homes and services to low to moderate-income families. He is a Trustee of The Friends of Lindenwald (home of President Martin Van Buren) and a director of the Kinderhook Tri-Village Rotary Club.
Columbia Land Conservancy - fiscal sponsor, participating organization. Marissa Codey, Special Projects Advisor, Columbia Land Conservancy. The Columbia Land Conservancy brings people together to conserve, appreciate and enjoy land. Marissa has 20+ years of experience working with individuals, families, community groups and partner organizations to facilitate conservation projects and transactions, many of which incorporate affordability provisions and techniques.
The Consensus Building Institute (CBI), Project facilitation and coordination. CBI is a nationally and internationally recognized not-for-profit organization, that provides organizational development and high-skilled facilitation for state and federal agencies, non-profits, and international development agencies around the world. Ona Ferguson, senior mediator, has for 20 years designed and facilitated committees and big public meetings with a focus on helping groups work constructively together on natural resource and public policy issues. Sophie Carillo-Mandel, associate, has over a decade of combined experience in facilitation services, on-the-ground natural resource management, and event planning. Abby Fullem, associate, supports the facilitation and mediation of environmental and public policy processes.
Rebecca Gillman Crimmins, the project’s co-convener, has worked on the financing and development of affordable and supportive housing, as well as planning and policy in government and nonprofits for over 10 years. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Development at the Institute for Community Living. Previously, she was an Assistant Vice President at New York State Homes and Community Renewal financing affordable housing across the State.
Regional Plan Association - GIS, website administration. RPA is an independent non-profit civic organization that develops and promotes ideas to improve the economic health, environmental resiliency, and quality of life of the New York metropolitan area. Moses Gates, Vice President, Housing & Neighborhood Planning, Regional Plan Association, leads the organization’s planning, research and advocacy efforts in affordable housing, economic development, and urban design. Marcel Negret, Sr. Planner, Regional Plan Association, combines systemic thinking with design, spatial analysis, and data visualization to support planning and advocacy efforts at both the regional and neighborhood level.
Steve Rosenberg, the project’s co-convener, is the former Sr. VP of Scenic Hudson and Exec. Director of the Scenic Hudson Land Trust. Steve served on the board of the Land Trust Alliance for nine years. He has led many efforts bringing land, equity and conservation together at the regional scale, including authoring the NYC/Hudson Valley Foodshed Conservation Plan, launching Scenic Hudson’s River Cities Program, and leading efforts to transform the Hudson’s post-industrial waterfronts into safe and inviting public places.
In this next phase, the participating organizations and project team are working together to:
- Communicate differently about their work, to implement the principles and values set forth in this process.
Model collaborative projects, through regular, facilitated meetings of the ten participating groups and smaller working groups.
- Reach out to and expand the circle of organizations and interests involved in this emerging network.
- Share the work with state, county and local officials and agency staff.
- Develop policy proposals and legal structures to support cross-sector collaboration.
As the project advances, the groups will demonstrate through their work that communities are more sustainable when both needs are being met. Ultimately, the goal is to: bring about affordable, energy-efficient housing near existing town and city centers, accessible to conserved land; address the twin, rural challenges of housing families and workers and conserving farms and natural areas; adapt former industrial/commercial sites into housing, conserved land and renewable energy; and redevelop urban sites with affordable housing and access to parks, jobs, and local food. All of this will result in more equitable and climate-forward places to live.
![Scenichudson 72411124 Medium](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=24efa0bcec153380f8716a745a5d7ee33483b03e8e2e09cec533824a5ea5eb5e 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=032f4442da957a9f3681c2623f9ba92061c2ecf594d14e90e76d77ef352929a4 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=79776647a41d0ee157d7627a7b577b1102d6e6386cf69d278efb410f102c0561 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=a693f8f168880581fcd23b4380e77549ddd9417b92bc144b00307337c1b3b731 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=d0fd1faf9224226bef1da082b205286b637d732616a04104865e782656661265 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=7d812add25234de964c206a730ae841440ffb524d80b5d3d9b86423f9fa12ccf 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=71e7b52298c0f92d189a975be61e059885c496ee723b72f6827e12be59cabe82 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=16715cb16e4c1f28db5bf8a757f4cd3daf1a360fff0e650c071fcfc5db14709f 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/general/scenichudson_72411124_Medium.jpg?bossToken=d145113d79a193db6241cf1d997f619a8c48884c14df7fe02cfd3e9500465e4b 1543w)
Newburgh: Broadway view — image by Scenic Hudson Inc.
The Hudson Valley Affordable Housing & Conservation Strategy has been featured at several forums in and outside of the region:
November 2022 Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Colloquium on Community Land Trusts and Conservation Land Trusts, case study presented by co-conveners Rebecca Gillman Crimmins and Steve Rosenberg
February 2023 Connecticut Affordable Housing and Land Conservation Summit, Keynote presented by co-conveners Rebecca Gillman Crimmins and Steve Rosenberg
March 2023 Massachusetts Land Coalition Annual Conference, Keynote presented by convener Steve Rosenberg
May 2023 New York Land Trust Conference, Workshop presented by co-conveners Rebecca Gillman Crimmins and Steve Rosenberg, Habitat for Humanity of Columbia County executive director Al Bellenchia, and Scenic Hudson Land Trust executive director Seth McKee.
May 2023 Annual Conference of New York State Affordable Housing Association, panel presentation by convener Rebecca Gillman Crimmins
Steve Rosenberg spoke and moderated a panel discussion at the Salisbury Forum in September.
Rebecca Gillman Crimmins and Steve Rosenberg keynoted the Mohonk Consultations Conference at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz in November.
Donations of $10,000+
The project could not have proceeded without generous support provided by:
The New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Nature Conservancy
Community Preservation Corporation
Mission Title
Susan Ferris
Dutchess Land Conservancy
Scenic Hudson Land Trust
And a number of generous, anonymous donors
This section describes the methodology used to identify places where there is both suitability and receptivity towards additional land conservation and affordable housing initiatives. The suitability of a place was determined based on the quantitative analysis of physical attributes of both built and natural conditions. Receptivity was determined based on qualitative documentation of perceived local receptivity towards housing and conservation initiatives.
-
Quantitative Analysis
RPA developed a composite index to identify areas that could be suitable for collaboration between land conservation and affordable housing efforts. The index is based on a scoring system of the 32,000 census blocks within the six county study area, and is composed of metrics that suggest suitability for both smart growth and land conservation planning efforts. The index summarizes the physical conditions, both built and natural, of places within the study area. Additionally, with support from the Consensus Building Institute and based on the knowledge of HVAH&C partners, RPA facilitated a number of exercises and workshops aimed at documenting the perception of local and political receptivity of municipalities.
Composite index criteria:
Smart Growth Criteria
Land Use: Areas with existing residential density of 5 units per acre or more and places where primary uses are either multifamily or mixed use buildings.
Transportation: Areas close to transit infrastructure (1/2 mile to rail or ¼ mile to bus stop) and close to main roads (¼ mile to arterial or collector streets, highways not included).
Land Cover: Areas where majority of land cover is classified as urban or impervious (20% and 50% or more).
Sewers: Places where the majority of households are sewered (50% and 75% or more).
Land Conservation Criteria
Environmental Irreplaceability: Areas that have high irreplaceability value in terms of their capacity to advance biodiversity, climate resilience, and landscape connectivity goals.
Priority farmland: Priority farms for securing fresh and local food for New York City and the Hudson Valley.
Merging Criteria
After developing spatial indexes for each category, one for smart growth and another for land conservation, RPA staff combined them into a composite index. We added the totals of each index by assigning points from the land conservation criteria to blocks that met at least one of the smart growth factors. The result gives scores to geographies that are served by some degree of physical infrastructure and that are considered environmentally valuable.
Qualitative Analysis
With support from the Consensus Building Institute and based on the knowledge of HV AH&C partners, RPA facilitated a number of exercises and workshops aimed at documenting the perception of local and political receptivity of municipalities.
In Person Workshop
HV AH&C partners met in person to study over 30 large & medium scale map prints documenting the region. The maps were based on infrastructure, land use, housing, and environmental conditions. The main goal was to identify relevant indicators that could be used in site identification. The group also had valuable discussions about the limitations of the spatial data presented and lack of availability of relevant information (i.e. sewer infrastructure).
Virtual Workshops
RPA developed a series of online board exercises (jamboards) aimed at documenting local sensitivities and potential receptivity towards housing and land conservation initiatives based on the knowledge of HV AH&C partners. Participants were divided into two groups, one examining municipalities on the West side of the Hudson River, and another on the East side. Participants used icons and notes to describe existing opportunities or the lack of thereof. The boards provided insight into the level of political will or support and the reasons why certain locations may not be viable for collaboration.
Identification process based on quantitative and qualitative analysis
Map 1 Smart Growth Index: GIS based scoring system factoring land use, transportation, land cover, and sewers
Map 2 Land Conservation Index: GIS based scoring system factoring environmental irreplaceability and priority farmland
Map 3 Composite Index: Merger of smart growth and land conservation indexes
Map 4 Places for Collaboration: Composite GIS Index + Local receptivity based HV AH&C partners