San Antonio wants to be the kind of
community that attracts residents and enables them to live healthy
lives with a vibrant, sustainable downtown. This was the message of
the Health and the Built Environment Conference of the San
Antonio Metropolitan Health District; a gathering of some of the
nation's brightest minds and local movers and shakers. This year's
theme was “Leveraging a More Livable SA.”
San Antonio was founded in 1718 under
the The Laws of the Indies. Written in 1680, these plans detailed
every facet of creating a Spanish colonial community including:
- a healthy location that can be defended from attack
- a source of food, fuel, fresh water
- industry and access to commercial transportation
- aesthetically pleasing architecture
- a commons for recreation and feeding flocks
- room to grow
As we approach San Antonio's 300th
birthday, the above list is still vital for a sustainable urban
community. Mayor Ivy Taylor's opening remarks set an upbeat tone for
presentations on safety, health, new urbanism, sustainable living and
walkable cities.
San Antonio boasts a vibrant downtown
that is among the most affordable in America. The
Riverwalk, The Pearl, and
Rackspace are among the new
stars of urban development. The recent designation of the missions as
a World Heritage Site
puts San Antonio in the world spotlight.
We do have problems: homelessness, food
insecurity, blighted neighborhoods, etc. We also have a city filled
with opportunities and talented leaders. Let's work together to
create opportunities for the people at the margins of our great city.
