SDAT - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: WHAT IS AN SDAT?
A: Sustainable Design Assessment Team.
DETAIL: This is a program of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) "Communities by Design" Program. Moving toward a sustainable and resilient community helps ensure a community's ecological, economic and cultural survival. The AIA brings a customized team of multidisciplinary experts to transform communities. The team assesses current conditions and helps the community envision future possibilities. At the end of an intense and focused 3-day visit, they present their findings at a town meeting, followed several months later by a final report with in-depth analysis and recommendations.
NOTE: Healdsburg hosted AIA’s R/UDAT (Regional/ Urban Design Assistance Team) in 1982 and it influenced the choices made by the City.
Q: HOW DID THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED IN THE SDAT?
A: A small, committed group of locals applied for an SDAT grant in the winter of 2017.
DETAIL: We were notified in January of our acceptance to the program along with 7 other communities in the US. A Steering Committee (SC) was formed to support the process. More than 25 community members helped pre- pare for the Preliminary Visit (PV) of an AIA 'scout' team. The program’s 2 staff members, and an architect selected to lead the SDAT, visited on April 17. The SC organized diverse groups of residents, over 100 people, to meet with the AIA team. In 5 separate gatherings they had conversations focused on Environment, Arts & Culture, Economy, and Governance. The AIA group left expressing their enthusiasm about bringing a full SDAT to our City. The date for the SDAT was set for August 13-15, 2018.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN SDAT COST & WHO PAYS FOR IT?
A: The AIA covers the expenses of the volunteers on the Team. The community covers costs associated with the logistics of the visit and implementation.
DETAIL: The value of the SDAT is several hundred thousand dollars. That is the AIA’s contribution. The community raises funds to support the visit and, potentially, the implementation of the recommendations they offer.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT THE AIA HAS VISITED HEALDSBURG?
A: The AIA and the Team headed by J.T. Scott, a Seattle architect, are recruiting experts tailored to the needs expressed in April’s preliminary visit for an intense engagement in mid August.
DETAIL: The AIA is assembling a team of volunteers from around the country who will help shape a vision for the community. The full team will have a range of disciplines. Past teams have included experts in transportation, disaster recovery, energy, green building, density, land use, housing, etc.
The goal is objectivity, credibility, and a holistic approach focused on the future, versus an issue-based approach. Our Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring broad engagement with all stakeholders in the City.
In addition to building enthusiasm for the SDAT visit, the SC must plan for all logistics, team workspace, stake- holder meeting locations and places for large town hall gatherings. We also need to support printing and media needs, access to relevant City documentation, plans, and regulations, such as the City's General Plan and land use regulations.
Q: WHAT ARE THE GOALS & BASICS OF AN SDAT PROCESS?
A: The goal is to support the Healdsburg community to develop a vision and sustainable response to an un- certain future, based on a comprehensive understanding of present conditions and resources.
A: The SDAT requires a “letting go” attitude on our part because the process is totally organic and the outcomes can’t be predicted.
A: The team will arrive with an open mind, with no skin in the game or hidden agendas.
A: There is no artificial timeline for their recommendations.
A: The SDAT is designed to generate a rich conversation about Healdsburg and its future, grounded in our culture and community values.
A: It’s a celebration of place.
A: It is a chance to generate an inclusive public process, guided by national experts with experience, free of bias.
A: The SDAT process and its emphasis on conversations creates a unique opportunity for the community to come together for the benefit of all.
Q: WHAT IS SCHEDULED ON THOSE 3 DAYS IN AUGUST?
A: MONDAY, AUGUST 13
The Team will tour the city, meet with stakeholders, and convene an evening Town Meeting in the High School Gym at 6:00 pm.
A: TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
The team will begin their work to integrate what they
have learned and formulate recommendations.
A: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
SDAT assembles their initial findings into a presentation for the entire Community at the High School gym at 6:00 pm.
Q: HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
A: There is a signup on the website including lots of information.
PLEASE START HERE: Contact Us
DETAIL: The SC will also hold a variety of gatherings for folks to talk about Healdsburg’s future. These will be Living Room Conversations, Library gatherings, "Campfires," workshops. Read more in the Tribune, Sonoma County Gazette and the PD, participate on social media. Look for and ask questions at the SDAT table at the Farmers Mar- ket and Tuesday Plaza Concerts. These are all opportunities for building momentum & enthusiasm for interacting and sharing what Healdsburg is, and would like to be, with the SDAT team in August.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SDAT LEAVES?
A: The AIA Team will offer a set of recommendations for us to discuss, share with our neighbors, and shape appropriately.
DETAIL: The SC will work with stakeholders to identify strategies to make the recommendations integral to the future of Healdsburg. Community members may easily accomplish some in a few months. Others may be on a grand scale and take years to accomplish. For example, the 1982 R/UDAT encouraged Healdsburg to focus on tourism 36 years ago. The recommendations are only a first step in a marathon. Implementation will depend upon an engaged and diverse community becoming skilled in working effectively together.
SOME PERIPHERAL QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
A: Together the community determines the meaning
of “sustainability” in its own context.
DETAIL: Defining “sustainability” for the whole community requires community members to participate. For starters, consider what values and essentials (including services, economic and environmental basics), do you want to insure are part of Healdsburg’s future?
Q: WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED?
A: General outreach builds momentum, creates
awareness, energy, and ownership.
DETAIL: Elected officials should be engaged, and be at the table. The goal is open dialogue, transparency, a shared sense of direction, and broad participation. No demographic group should be left out; – this is about the whole community. Generating interest and showing openness will allow participation across all boundaries.
Q: WILL THE MEETINGS BE BILINGUAL?
A: The AIA recognizes the importance of supporting this need in Healdsburg where over 30% of the community is Hispanic. We will provide translation assistance where needed.
A: Sustainable Design Assessment Team.
DETAIL: This is a program of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) "Communities by Design" Program. Moving toward a sustainable and resilient community helps ensure a community's ecological, economic and cultural survival. The AIA brings a customized team of multidisciplinary experts to transform communities. The team assesses current conditions and helps the community envision future possibilities. At the end of an intense and focused 3-day visit, they present their findings at a town meeting, followed several months later by a final report with in-depth analysis and recommendations.
NOTE: Healdsburg hosted AIA’s R/UDAT (Regional/ Urban Design Assistance Team) in 1982 and it influenced the choices made by the City.
Q: HOW DID THE COMMUNITY GET INVOLVED IN THE SDAT?
A: A small, committed group of locals applied for an SDAT grant in the winter of 2017.
DETAIL: We were notified in January of our acceptance to the program along with 7 other communities in the US. A Steering Committee (SC) was formed to support the process. More than 25 community members helped pre- pare for the Preliminary Visit (PV) of an AIA 'scout' team. The program’s 2 staff members, and an architect selected to lead the SDAT, visited on April 17. The SC organized diverse groups of residents, over 100 people, to meet with the AIA team. In 5 separate gatherings they had conversations focused on Environment, Arts & Culture, Economy, and Governance. The AIA group left expressing their enthusiasm about bringing a full SDAT to our City. The date for the SDAT was set for August 13-15, 2018.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES AN SDAT COST & WHO PAYS FOR IT?
A: The AIA covers the expenses of the volunteers on the Team. The community covers costs associated with the logistics of the visit and implementation.
DETAIL: The value of the SDAT is several hundred thousand dollars. That is the AIA’s contribution. The community raises funds to support the visit and, potentially, the implementation of the recommendations they offer.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT THE AIA HAS VISITED HEALDSBURG?
A: The AIA and the Team headed by J.T. Scott, a Seattle architect, are recruiting experts tailored to the needs expressed in April’s preliminary visit for an intense engagement in mid August.
DETAIL: The AIA is assembling a team of volunteers from around the country who will help shape a vision for the community. The full team will have a range of disciplines. Past teams have included experts in transportation, disaster recovery, energy, green building, density, land use, housing, etc.
The goal is objectivity, credibility, and a holistic approach focused on the future, versus an issue-based approach. Our Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring broad engagement with all stakeholders in the City.
In addition to building enthusiasm for the SDAT visit, the SC must plan for all logistics, team workspace, stake- holder meeting locations and places for large town hall gatherings. We also need to support printing and media needs, access to relevant City documentation, plans, and regulations, such as the City's General Plan and land use regulations.
Q: WHAT ARE THE GOALS & BASICS OF AN SDAT PROCESS?
A: The goal is to support the Healdsburg community to develop a vision and sustainable response to an un- certain future, based on a comprehensive understanding of present conditions and resources.
A: The SDAT requires a “letting go” attitude on our part because the process is totally organic and the outcomes can’t be predicted.
A: The team will arrive with an open mind, with no skin in the game or hidden agendas.
A: There is no artificial timeline for their recommendations.
A: The SDAT is designed to generate a rich conversation about Healdsburg and its future, grounded in our culture and community values.
A: It’s a celebration of place.
A: It is a chance to generate an inclusive public process, guided by national experts with experience, free of bias.
A: The SDAT process and its emphasis on conversations creates a unique opportunity for the community to come together for the benefit of all.
Q: WHAT IS SCHEDULED ON THOSE 3 DAYS IN AUGUST?
A: MONDAY, AUGUST 13
The Team will tour the city, meet with stakeholders, and convene an evening Town Meeting in the High School Gym at 6:00 pm.
A: TUESDAY, AUGUST 14
The team will begin their work to integrate what they
have learned and formulate recommendations.
A: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15
SDAT assembles their initial findings into a presentation for the entire Community at the High School gym at 6:00 pm.
Q: HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
A: There is a signup on the website including lots of information.
PLEASE START HERE: Contact Us
DETAIL: The SC will also hold a variety of gatherings for folks to talk about Healdsburg’s future. These will be Living Room Conversations, Library gatherings, "Campfires," workshops. Read more in the Tribune, Sonoma County Gazette and the PD, participate on social media. Look for and ask questions at the SDAT table at the Farmers Mar- ket and Tuesday Plaza Concerts. These are all opportunities for building momentum & enthusiasm for interacting and sharing what Healdsburg is, and would like to be, with the SDAT team in August.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE SDAT LEAVES?
A: The AIA Team will offer a set of recommendations for us to discuss, share with our neighbors, and shape appropriately.
DETAIL: The SC will work with stakeholders to identify strategies to make the recommendations integral to the future of Healdsburg. Community members may easily accomplish some in a few months. Others may be on a grand scale and take years to accomplish. For example, the 1982 R/UDAT encouraged Healdsburg to focus on tourism 36 years ago. The recommendations are only a first step in a marathon. Implementation will depend upon an engaged and diverse community becoming skilled in working effectively together.
SOME PERIPHERAL QUESTIONS
Q: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
A: Together the community determines the meaning
of “sustainability” in its own context.
DETAIL: Defining “sustainability” for the whole community requires community members to participate. For starters, consider what values and essentials (including services, economic and environmental basics), do you want to insure are part of Healdsburg’s future?
Q: WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED?
A: General outreach builds momentum, creates
awareness, energy, and ownership.
DETAIL: Elected officials should be engaged, and be at the table. The goal is open dialogue, transparency, a shared sense of direction, and broad participation. No demographic group should be left out; – this is about the whole community. Generating interest and showing openness will allow participation across all boundaries.
Q: WILL THE MEETINGS BE BILINGUAL?
A: The AIA recognizes the importance of supporting this need in Healdsburg where over 30% of the community is Hispanic. We will provide translation assistance where needed.