Announcing - Growing Smarter: Florida’s Future Depends on It - Event August 28th
- Aaron DeMayo
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
On Thursday, August 28, at 6:30 PM, community leaders, advocates, and professionals will gather at Magic 13 Brewing in Miami for Growing Smarter: Florida’s Future Depends on It. The event is presented by Conservation Florida and the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Florida Young Leaders.
The conversation will be moderated by Andres Corrales (CNU Young Leaders) and Kristin Anderson (Conservation Florida). Panelists include:
Lauren Jonaitis, Senior Conservation Director, Tropical Audubon Society
Elizabeth Fata Carpenter, Executive Director, Everglades Law Center
Aaron DeMayo, Urban Designer and Planner, Future Vision Studios
Together, the panel will explore how Miami-Dade can grow smarter, healthier, and more resilient, and why it matters now more than ever.
Why This Matters
Miami-Dade faces converging challenges that require urgent attention:
Housing affordability: Families are priced out not only of walkable neighborhoods but even of car-dependent subdivisions. Walkable communities command a premium, while the “American Dream” of a small backyard on the urban fringe often means buying into risky, low-lying land far from jobs and transit. The result is long commutes, higher emissions, and hidden costs that drain family budgets and quality of life.
Congestion and unsafe streets: Miami consistently ranks among the most dangerous regions in the U.S. for pedestrians. Traffic congestion worsens productivity, air quality, and public safety. Smarter growth means investing in safer, more connected streets and giving people real choices in how they move.
Climate and insurance pressures: Rising seas, stronger storms, and escalating insurance premiums are destabilizing households and the broader economy. Communities that proactively manage stormwater and strengthen resilience save money through FEMA’s Community Rating System while protecting lives and property.
Pressure on the Everglades and farmland: Miami-Dade’s farms produce billions annually in food and economic value, while the Everglades provides clean water and natural flood protection. Expanding the UDB risks losing these irreplaceable resources. Once developed, farmland and ecosystems cannot be reclaimed.
Fiscal sustainability: Compact, infill development is more cost-effective than sprawl, saving taxpayer dollars on infrastructure while strengthening existing neighborhoods. Smarter growth ensures public resources are invested where they bring the most benefit.
Ten Priorities for Smarter Growth in Miami-Dade
(In no particular order)
Protect the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) – Preserve the Everglades, farmland, and water supply by focusing growth inside the line.
Promote Infill Development – Reuse vacant land, parking lots, and underutilized sites within existing neighborhoods.
Encourage Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) – Direct new housing and jobs to corridors served by transit, reducing traffic congestion and costs.
Modernize Parking Policies – Remove outdated minimums that raise housing costs and block walkable design.
Reimagine Streets for Safety and Health – Implement complete streets, safer intersections, and tree-lined boulevards that prioritize walking, biking, and transit.
Create Affordable Housing Opportunities – Support mixed-income housing near jobs, schools, and transit, and expand options like ADUs.
Advance Climate Resilience and Insurance Solutions – Invest in green infrastructure, stormwater management, and Community Rating System participation.
Leverage Economic Data for Smarter Choices – Use fiscal impact analysis and value-per-acre studies to guide land use decisions.
Champion Open Space and Parks – Implement the award-winning Open Space Master Plan, ensuring every resident has access to parks and greenways.
Foster Regional Collaboration – Align local and county policies with regional resilience and prosperity plans, ensuring a unified voice for South Florida.
Join the Conversation
Thursday, August 28, 6:30 PM
Magic 13 Brewing Company, Miami, FL
Free admission — RSVP here: Eventbrite Link
This event will be an important opportunity to learn, engage, and help shape Miami-Dade’s future. Smarter growth is about building a stronger economy, protecting public health, and ensuring resilient communities for generations to come.
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