A community garden in East Austin.
community organizations take new approach to solving austin neighborhood inequities
Parts of Austin often lack access to expansive green space, are robbed of tree canopy cover surrendered to development and are starved of fresh, healthy foods. But community-based organizations are working to enhance quality of life in these neighborhoods. Go Austin/Vamos Austin, known as GAVA, is a group dedicated to mobilizing community power to reduce barriers to health, while increasing institutional capacity to respond to the people most impacted by historical inequities…
Zoned out: the legacy of codenext
GAVA Executive Director, Carmen Llanes Pulido, a recently appointed member of the city’s Planning Commission and one of those interviewed in the film, said she had wondered how the city could have wasted $8.5 million on the CodeNEXT process. Then someone told her, “It’s $30 billion in development we’re talking about.”…
Frances Acuña speaks with Austin-American Statesman in October, 2019
austin weighs code changes after data show 80% more structures at flood risk
GAVA organizer, Frances Acuña bought her house in Southeast Austin 18 years ago. Over the years, rainfall and flooding in the neighborhood have gotten worse, she say. Next month, Acuña’s home, now in the 500-year flood plain, could be one of thousands in Austin to be redesignated as in the 100-year flood plain, based on new rainfall data released last year that show major storms are more common in Texas than previously believed. That means homes like Acuña’s now are considered at greater risk of flooding in future rain events…
GAVA Land development code hearing
Hear from residents and GAVA staff during the Austin City Council Special Meeting on the Land Development Code on December 7th, 2019…