Resiliency, mobility are planning mantras for ’23

For 2023, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is committed to continuing to work with our partners in envisioning and crafting a region that ensures resiliency, livability and mobility.

Since 1962, the commission has worked with our regional, state and national partners to advance a Hampden- and Hampshire-County region that thrives no matter the ever-changing conditions on the ground. Created in state law to help shape a rapidly evolving valley, we subscribe to the great Maya Angelou’s words: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

PVPC has long been an ardent steward of our valley’s natural world. Our team of dedicated planners spends a great deal of time and energy working to make our communities more sustainable. Preparing our region to effectively meet the future impacts of climate change is vital to the future of this area.

Our region is already experiencing changing weather patterns, such as unexpected storms, persistent drought and heat waves. The impacts of these shifts are clear to see: For example, large influxes of rainfall and snowmelt can wash away roads and bridges and overwhelm our legacy water and sewer infrastructure, thereby polluting our local waters. To address these needs, PVPC will continue to partner with our municipalities as well as state and federal officials to bring regional approaches to these very real-world issues. 2023 will also be a critical time in the history of our valley. As a region, we need to reassess the inherent livability of our communities and challenge some existing assumptions. The 2020 Census made it abundantly clear that our towns are getting older. How can we make our communities more welcoming and attractive to all types of new residents and business investments? How do we ensure our housing stock and local economy serves the interests of all our current and future residents?

With the northsouth Valley Flyer Line now permanent and the Massachusetts state Department of Transportation pursuing federal dollars for expanded eastwest passenger rail service, we believe that the pieces are coming together to realize that economically empowered future for our cities and towns.

PVPC spent much of 2022 laying the groundwork for such progress, by working

Kimberly H. Robinson

with our communities to update zoning bylaws and support elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners’ ability to stay safely in place.

We convened diverse stakeholders to better understand what economic empowerment looks like for women and minority businesspeople, and what is required to build vibrant economies in rural settings.

We will further question whether our public infrastructure and human services fully meet the needs of the wide array of residents that call this area home. For example, the Age-Friendly Movement champions communities in

Paul Avery French poet & symbolist

The storms of uncertainty have a way of making many of us uncomfortable about the future. That’s why we’re here. Our history is founded on a disciplined approach that has stood the test of time. And in all that time we’ve heard chapter and verse about market volatility, inflation, deflation and so forth. Proper financial planning helps us deal with the uncertainties of our time. And when those drab clouds fade away, more often than not we’re reminded of positive things that show up.