Phase IV:  Action Planning Phase

    Creating New Solutions to Existing Problems

Phase 4, the Action Planning Phase of Vision 2020. is underway.  From July through November, teams of residents will develop strategies and action steps to make the Vision a reality by 2020.  These recommendations will then be presented for adoption by the City and County, the education community, business and industry, the non-profit sector, and the community at large.

Much intense work will be accomplished in Phase 4 in a very concentrated period of time.  This work will be carried out by 7 Vision Forces (task forces) consisting of approximately 15 individuals each.  The Vision Forces correspond to the 7 key areas expressed during the Assessment and Visioning phases through widespread community input.  The Vision Forces are the following:

Quality of Life                                                 

Downtown � the Heart of the City    

Economic Development 

Education and Life-long Learning                               

Community Planning and Transportation

Youth and Families       

Image                         

The Vision Forces will leverage on-going efforts while also seeking to create new solutions to existing problems.

In keeping with the open, inclusive character of the Vision 2020 process, Vision Force meetings will be open to the community and all residents who wish will be able to provide input.  Meeting dates, times, locations, and minutes  will be posted on this web site or may be obtained by calling 324-2020.

Phase 3:  Community Creates Vision for Greater Bakersfield:

End of the Visioning Phase Sets the Stage for the Action Planning Phase

 This spring more than 2000 residents of Greater Bakersfield, including approximately 1,000 high school seniors, looked far out into the future to answer the question "What do you want our community to be in the 2020?" 

The Vision that emerged was presented June 19 at a Community Celebration.

With the completion of the Visioning Phase (Phase 3) we now turn our attention to planning how to bring the Vision to life.  In the Action Planning Phase (Phase 4) which will take place from July through November, teams of citizens will develop strategies and action steps to make the Vision a reality by 2020.

The Vision for Greater Bakersfield

This Vision for Greater Bakersfield, which is based on widespread community input during the Assessment and Visioning Phases, is expressed in 7 key areas:   

Quality of Life

Downtown � the Heart of the City

Economic Development

Community Planning and Transportation

Education and Life-long Learning

Youth and Families

Image

A theme reflected throughout all Vision areas is Greater Bakersfield as a vibrant, economically strong community that offers the sophistication of a big city and the charm of a small town.  Greater Bakersfield is place people want to be!

How the Vision was created

This spring more than 2000 residents of Greater Bakersfield, including approximately 1,000 high school seniors, looked far out into the future to answer the question "What do you want our community to be in the 2020?" 

Armed with markers, these "visionaries" dreamed of the future by writing and drawing on specially created maps and charts designed to bring our their creativity. 

 Key themes emerged in the areas of quality of life; downtown; economic development; community planning and transportation; education and life-long learning; youth and families; and image .   Click here to link to the outcomes of individual visioning sessions.

 In keeping with the entire Vision 2020 process, the Visioning Phase (Phase 3)  was open and inclusive with an emphasis on maximizing opportunities for community input.  Ten community-wide meetings were held in locations throughout the metropolitan area while 12 mini-meetings were held at various organizations, neighborhoods, and places of business.  In addition, seniors at five high schools participated in their own visioning meetings.