"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild the right way and make the Coast bigger than ever. What we do now will decide what the coast will look like in 10 years, 20 years, and beyond..."
Governor Haley Barbour
Mississippi Renewal Forum, October 2005
The Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation shares this commitment to achieve the highest level of quality in the redevelopment of
the Mississippi Gulf Coast - a quality that provides safe housing for all income levels; walkable communities where residents can live, work, learn, worship, and play; and the best use of available land to ensure the creation of thriving, sustainable communities.
To ensure the above-stated goals for walkable, mixed-income, mixed-use developments are clearly outlined, the Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation, in partnership with the Mississippi State University Community Design Studio, has created the Renaissance Builder & Developer Guild – a design and education centerpiece for the Renaissance Corporation – setting a high, but attainable, standard for development.
Guild Mission
To foster the redevelopment of communities as environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable through responsible land use practices with a particular focus on mixed-use and mixed-income communities.
Guild Objectives
Administer development standards that will be applied to Renaissance Corporation sponsored projects.
Use the development standards to award other projects to encourage good sustainable design
Educate and assist municipalities to improve the quality of development in the region.
Development Review:
The Guild will endorse projects representative of its Guiding Principles based on a set of Development Standards. The standards are a compilation of generally recognized best practices in Smart Growth. The standards are compatible with LEED, though not as demanding.
Education and Advocacy:
Educational forums will be held to keep local professionals and stakeholders informed of best practices. National experts and members of the Urban Land Institute and other well-respected organizations will be invited to participate. Through a Guild design center, Renaissance will encourage communities to craft a vision and adopt standards for development and construction which responds to community values of architectural beauty and distinctiveness. Public and private entities alike can be assured that a Renaissance Guild endorsement is a sign of a quality development.
Guiding Principals
Create a range of housing types and affordable price levels.
Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Encourage developments that strengthen existing communities.
Mix land uses.
Create walkable neighborhoods.
Encourage public and private collaborations shaped by community and stakeholder participation.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, sustainable, and cost effective.
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas.
Consider transportation needs and encourage a variety of transportation options.
Take advantage of compact building design.
Create development sites with low environmental impact.
Create energy efficient buildings incorporating Energy Star or greater standards.
