The Village Project is currently working on several projects to help create more walkable communities in Orange County:
Current Activities
International Car Free Day is celebrated worldwide September 22 to recognize that walking, biking, ride-sharing, and transit are better for the environment and for communities than single-occupant automobile trips. The Village Project leads celebrations of International Car Free Day in Orange County, NC.
- In both 2004 and 2005, we helped 1000 people pledge to try new ways of commuting to work and get out of their cars.
- In 2007, we held a rally in support of an Amtrak rail stop in Hillsborough.
- In 2008, we obtained 500 signed letters in support of the regional light rail line to connect Chapel Hill and Durham.
Completed Projects
- The Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition – The Village Project is a founding member of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Coalition, which came together in 2007, to work towards a more sustainable future for Orange County. A diverse set of community groups came together to create and endorse a vision statement for Orange County’s Comprehensive Plan that brings together economic, social, and environmental principles in a way that truly promotes a sustainable future for our county. Coalition members have followed the comprehensive plan update process by attending public meetings, writing op-eds to the newspaper, and informing the public on the process on OrangePolitics.org.
- Concept Plan for Carolina North – An alternative land use, transportation, urban design plan for the proposed Carolina North research campus in Chapel Hill, NC.
- Weaver Street Market Design Workshop (Hillsborough,NC)
- Downtown Carrboro “Crossroads Conversation” Charette (Carrboro, NC)
- Villages and Countryside: Land Use Alternatives for Orange County
- 2030 Concept Plans and Models
- West Hillsborough
- Downtown Efland
- Rural Village
Miscellaneous Publicity
Over the years, members of The Village Project have submitted numerous editorials and letters to the editor of area newspapers. We have also been interviewed on WCHL and various newspapers. Search for “Village Project” on the websites for the Chapel Hill News, the Chapel Hill Herald, and WCHL websites to find links to our media advocacy. We also post to the area’s political blog, OrangePolitics.org.
Presentations
Members of the Village Project have presented at conferences to advocate for walkable communities. Board member Patrick McDonough presented at the Peak Oil conference at Duke University. His presentation was called, “Addressing the Challenge of Peak Oil Through Compact Green Development.” [Download the presentation]